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Margaret’s Influence 


A Secret of the Confessional 


BY 

REV. PETER GEIERMANN, C. SS. R. 


ST. LOUIS, MO., & FREIBURG (BADEN) 
Published by B. Herder 


Gv . 


CUM PERMISSU SUPERIORUM 


Copyright, 1910, by Joseph Gummersbach 


-BECKTOLD- 
PRINTING AND BOOK MFG. CO. 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 


(0GI.A261573 


FOREWORD. 


“ Margaret's Influence : A Secret of the Confes- 
sional ” is a story embodying the doctrine imparted in 
the State instruction or special lecture, which the Re- 
demptorist Fathers address to the young people on 
Catholic missions. The narrative is founded on facts. 
For obvious reasons, however, the scenes are fictitious. 
The story depicts the conversion of a young man from 
the rankest materialism to the true Faith, through the 
influence of a Catholic young woman. 

The reader may be surprised, at first, at the igno- 
rance as well as at the principles and acts of Webster 
Van Deever. He may be disappointed at a certain 
weakness in the conduct of Margaret Redmond. But 
let it be borne in mind that these characters are taken 
from real life, where, with the exception of Jesus and 
Mary, no one has attained the perfection of the divine 
ideal in all details, and some, like Webster Van 
Deever, have never heard it mentioned favorably. 

The Author. 



\ 
















MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


CHAPTER I 

AN OPEN CONFESSION 

C C T)ARDON me — are you not a Catholic priest? ” 
It was a cold morning in January, 1902, and I 
was seated quietly in a Pullman coach, reading my 
breviary. I had spent some time on the Standing 
Rock Reservation, where the zealous sons and daugh- 
ters of St. Benedict have established several flourish- 
ing parishes among the Sioux tribes. Before dawn, 
on the preceding day, I had left Fort Yates for the 
north, on the primitive stage which connects that 
sleepy town with the outside world. After a tedious 
twelve-hour ride over the snow-clad prairies of North 
Dakota, I arrived at Bismarck, whence I departed on 
the belated Twin City Express for St. Paul. Here I 
was to open a mission on the following Sunday, and, 
as was my custom, I rose early, and had nearly finished 
Matins and Lauds when interrupted by the remark 
given above. 

I noticed that we were rapidly approaching the 
eastern terminus of the Northern Pacific and had only 
a few moments of leisure, so I put aside my breviary 

1 


2 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


and looked up. The young man who had spoken 
was quite prepossessing in appearance, athletic, in- 
telligent, well-dressed. At first I could scarcely class- 
ify him. He did not appear “ sporty,” as some travel- 
ing men are termed, and yet there was a certain air 
about him which puzzled me. 

“ I am a Catholic priest,” I answered, “ but as I am 
a comparative stranger in St. Paul, I may not be able 
to give you any information — ” 

“ Oh ! It is not about St. Paul,” said the young 
man, and there was a tinge of embarrassment in his 
tones that aroused my interest. “ The difficulty — is 
with myself. Will you come into the drawing-room, 
sir? I should like to have a talk with you.” 

The manner which I had thought, unconsciously, 
a little overbearing, was now one of eager anxiety. 
He appeared like an honest young fellow in trouble, 
who felt rather diffident in making an appeal of this 
sort to a stranger. Very much attracted by his atti- 
tude, and the evident perturbation of his mind, I rose 
and followed him to his apartment. 

“ I am also a stranger in this section,” he went on, 
after he had closed the door, and taken a seat opposite 
me, “ but my name is well-known. I am Webster 
Van Deever, son of Homer Van Deever, head of the 
brokerage firm of New York and Chicago. Our fam- 
ily dates back to the New Amsterdam settlers, and I 
am my father’s only child and heir.” 

I looked at him, I must confess, with astonishment. 
His manner was so earnest that I could not reconcile 
it with these somewhat boastful words. 


AN OPEN CONFESSION 


3 


“ Are you a Catholic, Mr. Van Deever?” 

“ Oh, no ! I’m not a Catholic,” he answered, 
quickly. 

“ Not a Catholic ! Then why — ” 

“ I am an agnostic. I don’t know a blessed thing 
about religion. Neither my father nor my grand- 
father were church members. I am not interested in 
religion in any way, and I don’t want to discuss it.” 

I sat there absolutely puzzled. In the beginning I 
had expected that this conversation would be about 
religion, for somehow or other, when a Catholic priest 
enters a train, there is always sure to crop up a re- 
ligious discussion of some sort. I had imagined this 
young man to be a repentant prodigal in need of ad- 
vice and possibly spiritual assistance. His uncom- 
promising remark showed me my error. 

“ Well, my son,” I said, “ if there is anything I can 
do for you, I wish you would state your case to me 
at once. We have only a few minutes left, and my 
destination is St. Paul.” 

“I — as I said, my difficulty is not a religious one,” 
he began again, stumbling a little over the words. “ It 
will sound foolish — perhaps — but we are strangers, 
we may never meet again — ” He hesitated, flushing. 
Then he plunged into the subject as if anxious to get 
it off his mind : “ It is about a young lady — a Cath- 

olic,” he said. “ A poor girl, at that, with neither blue 
blood nor money, who is in no way my social equal. 
I met her only a little over two weeks ago . . . 
and while I am not superstitious, she has haunted me 
ever since. I actually took this trip to the coast to 


4 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


try to forget her. But it is impossible. So I had to 
speak to some one, who, I felt, would understand her. 
That is why I have asked you to listen to me.” 

I sat there quietly, weighing him and his speech. 

“ A poor girl, with neither blue blood nor money, 
in no way my social equal ! ” 

I am afraid that these words were all that I clearly 
grasped as this conceited young man proceeded. 
They gave me the clue to his character. Webster Van 
Deever, son of Homer Van Deever, whose ancestors 
had settled New Amsterdam, imagined the whole 
world prostrate before him! The king’s son could 
do no wrong! Ah! It was indeed a daring thing 
for this poor Catholic girl to flout him ! 

But my imagination was carrying me away — I 
must listen further. 

“ I am still in the dark,” I suggested. 

“ This girl — this Margaret Redmond — ” 

“ Margaret Redmond ! ” I interrupted. “ There 
was a young lady of that name at St. Mary’s-on-the- 
Raisin. Her father, was, I believe, a wealthy Chicago 
broker.” 

“ Then you know her ! ” he exclaimed. “ That is 
she. Her father lost all he had in the panic of some 
years ago. He made heroic efforts to save a home for 
his wife and daughter, but he did not succeed, and the 
strain and shock killed him. He has been dead two 
years. Miss Redmond opened an offlce in the Equit- 
able Building, in Chicago, and is an expert and well- 
known stenographer.” 

“ Is that so! ” I exclaimed. “ Well, she was always 


AN OPEN CONFESSION 


5 

a bright girl — her success does not astonish me. 
You met her, I presume, in a professional way? ” 

“ Oh, no ! I met her at the Charity Ball, to which 
she was escorted by Mr. White, an old and mutual 
friend, by whom we were introduced. You say you 
knew Miss Redmond as a schoolgirl ! You should see 
her now! She is as graceful as a fawn — a real 
American beauty, with auburn hair, eyes as soft as a 
dove’s — ” 

I could not contain myself. I heard many confes- 
sions, but this was a unique experience — a blase 
young man expatiating on the charms of a young lady 
who had bewitched him ! I burst into a hearty laugh. 

“ Don’t, please ! ” said the young man, earnestly. 
“ I fell in love with her the moment we met. She 
danced with me. From the ballroom I escorted her 
into a little alcove ... I suppose I lost my head 
. . . He had the grace to pause here. 

“ Well ? ” I asked, gravely enough. “ What hap- 
pened ? ” 

“ I tried to kiss her.” 

“Oh! You did! And she resented it?” 

“ She was furious — why, her eyes fairly scorched 
me. She got up and rejoined her mother and Mr. 
White, and for the rest of the time I was there com- 
pletely ignored me. I have not seen her since. And 
now I want to know what there is in the Catholic re- 
ligion that would make her take such an attitude to- 
wards me ? She knew who I was — I told her ! ” 

The colossal vanity of this handsome young animal, 
his conceit and ignorance, were so patent, that I felt 


6 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


a hot wave of indignation sweeping over me. My 
first impulse was perhaps the same as Margaret Red- 
mond’s had been — to rise and leave him. But my 
experience restrained me from hasty action. I had 
never met any one quite like this self-worshiper be- 
fore. What, what had been his companions, his asso- 
ciates, that this young girl should have opened a new 
world to him? How he must be toadied to and flat- 
tered ! How people must hang upon his words ! 
Ah, was it any wonder that one such as Margaret Red- 
mond must be, grounded in grace and virtue, would 
brush him aside like an annoying insect ! 

I am afraid I was uncharitable enough to rejoice 
over his humiliation, and yet I saw plainly that he was 
very much attracted. I pitied him, too, for his igno- 
rance, his narrowness. The girl had fascinated him, 
and it was not to receive an explanation that he had 
asked me to listen to him, but because he wanted an 
opportunity to unburden his heart and mind. 

I thanked God that the girl had been true to the 
teachings of St. Mary’s, and I also felt that it was a 
pity that one so favored by nature and fortune 
should have such exaggerated ideas of his own im- 
portance. Had Webster Van Deever been the eldest 
of ten children of hard-working parents instead of the 
only and spoiled darling of wealth, he would have had 
a cleaner and saner outlook on life. He sat looking at 
me as these thoughts flashed through my mind. 

“ I am afraid,” I said, coldly, “ that even if I were 
the custodian of Miss Redmond’s thoughts, and her 


AN OPEN CONFESSION 


7 

counselor, the time left us would not permit me to give 
you a satisfactory explanation.” 

“ So ! There is an explanation from a Catholic 
standpoint ! ” exclaimed young Van Deever. “ I have 
always heard that Catholics are strange people . . . 

something like Shakers or Quakers . . . with 

queer ideas — but I haven’t ever met any, only my 
servant Andy.” 

“ There is an explanation from a moral standpoint,” 
I said, a little testily. “ You grossly insulted a mod- 
est and good young girl, who honored you by granting 
you the favor of a dance with her.” 

“ Oh! ” said Van Deever, with a wave of his hand, 
“ that’s nonsense. That was all very nice in the olden 
days when the people were absurdly proper and de- 
corous, but we’ve gotten over that. The world has 
changed with the times — all but you Catholics, who, 
I suppose, still cling to your prudish notions! My 
father is a popular man, welcomed everywhere, ac- 
cepted by the best people, who are proud to be among 
the number of his friends. I have always followed 
his advice and have found no reason to regret it. 
After all, a woman is really man’s inferior. I am 
scrupulously courteous to every woman, but men have 
certain privileges, certain rights — ” 

“ From a Christian standpoint, Mr. Van Deever, 
there are nobler things than the honors, riches and 
pleasures of this life, more lasting treasures than the 
goods of this world.” 

He looked at me with a cynical smile. 


8 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“We are not taught these things at the Univer- 
sity, ” he said. 

“ To Miss Redmond,” I pursued, quietly, “ a true 
child of God, there is no greater pleasure than know- 
ing, loving, and serving Him. That is why you are 
in every way her inferior, for your millions and your 
birth are merely accidents. It seems incredible that 
I should have to say this to any man or woman in 
this age and in this country. Miss Redmond values 
her dignity, her modesty, far above your wealth or 
your position, and she was morally bound to resent 
your unpardonable breach of etiquette.” 

The young man shrugged his shoulders. 

“ There may be something in that,” he said care- 
lessly. “ And here is the depot, so that we can not 
pursue this question further. I have only one thing to 
say before bidding you good-by. I mean to kiss Miss 
Redmond — even if I have to marry her to do it.” 

“ I rejoice sincerely,” I retorted, “ that I can not 
congratulate you on your prospects of success.” 


CHAPTER II 


A FIXED RESOLVE 

TJERHAPS Webster Van Deever was more im- 
pressed by the priest than he cared to let him see. 
At any rate after the reverend gentleman left the 
train, the young man sat lost for a few moments in a 
profound reverie. He was absolutely ignorant of 
more than the mere outlines of Christianity, and as for 
Catholic belief — to him it seemed as if those who 
practiced that faith were forced to observe a weary 
round of rules to which no sensible man or woman 
could conform. Nevertheless, he had made up his 
mind to one thing: he had an end to attain, and to 
bring it about there should be no means left untried. 
What this end was declared itself during his wait at 
St. Paul. Alighting from the train, he wrote out a 
message to his Chicago office announcing his return. 
He then sent another telegram to Meyer and Son, well- 
known Chicago florists. 

“ Send two dozen American Beauty roses to Miss 
Margaret Redmond, 93-2 Equitable Building. Sign 
the card * With a friend’s best wishes.’ 

Van Deever.” 


9 


IO 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ That will do for the present,” he said, pacing up 
and down the waiting-room. 

It was something to have found an interest that was 
so vital in his hitherto idle, pleasure-loving life. Lit- 
tle by little the conversation with the priest returned 
to him. He was vaguely aware that he had been the 
object of some contempt, even disgust, although the 
calling of the man had kept his indignation under 
bounds. He realized the great gulf that separated 
him from Margaret Redmond — a gulf that the priest 
had understood existed, for he had given him a reason 
for her conduct. This thought aroused his envy, even 
his jealousy. He was face to face with a mystery. 
He had education, influence, wealth, but he was not 
happy. He had never been happy, and it was because 
he knew this that Margaret Redmond had aroused 
such different sentiments in his breast. 

“ She is a child of God,” said the priest, “ whose 
sole delight is in knowing, loving, and serving Him.” 

Ah! Then the object of some human lives was 
more than the material and the temporal! He was 
wrong, his whole world was wrong ! He felt his soul 
hungering within him for an indefinable something 
that would put him on a level with that girl. On a 
level? Could it be possible he thought her his supe- 
rior? In spite of his vain boasting, his assumed arro- 
gance, his conceit, he did ! And the superior, as well, 
of those others of his acquaintance who would have 
laughed indulgently over his attempted love-making. 
They would have understood his pleasantry — she un- 
derstood, but would not tolerate it ! 


A FIXED RESOLVE 


ii 


“ She is a child of God ! ” said the priest again, in 
his ear. Well, all right, if that would solve the diffi- 
culty, he, Webster Van Deever, would see what it 
meant to be a child of God also! 

Further thought was interrupted by the stentorian 
voice of the train crier. 

“Chicago and Northwestern for Chicago! All 
aboard for Eau Claire — Elroy — Madison — Janes- 
ville — Chicago — Track — No. 5 ! ” 

As Webster Van Deever entered the drawing-room 
of the Badger State Express, he realized that his con- 
versation with the priest had been as oil and wine 
poured into the wounds of his spirit. He remem- 
bered, with delight, his first glimpse of Margaret 
Redmond, only two short weeks before. He could 
see her in all her charming loveliness, Mr. White on 
one hand, her mother on the other. He eagerly 
sought the gentleman, and when Margaret bent her 
large, soft blue eyes upon him in pleasant greeting, 
and gave him her small hand with a delicious frank- 
ness, he was conscious of the great pleasure this mo- 
ment occasioned him. 

“ Tickets ! ” suddenly demanded the conductor. 
“ Tickets, tickets ! ” 

Completely absorbed in his mental vision, Mr. Van 
Deever presented the official with his hat. That gen- 
tleman did not want a hat. His rough hand on Van 
Deever’s shoulder aroused the young man from his 
delightful abstraction, and he scowled as he produced 
the slip of cardboard which alone seemed to satisfy 
the other’s demands. He settled himself comfortably 


12 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


then, and, being undisturbed, once more drifted off 
into the realms of fancy. She was no longer Miss 
Redmond — she was Margaret ! Margaret ! What 
an ideal couple they would make — he was tall and 
dark, she just up to his shoulder and fair as a lily. 
He prided himself on his manliness — she was cer- 
tainly the most womanly of women! 

As long as Van Deever confined himself to material 
matters he could proceed with mathematical ac- 
curacy. There was no further comparison now be- 
tween himself and Margaret Redmond. Her attire 
had been so modest, her complexion so beautifully 
clear without a trace of artifice — all had been fresh, 
charming, natural. 

And then those sparkling blue eyes flashed fire, 
that charming face was filled with indignation, that 
red mouth was curved in scorn and anger — all with 
the suddenness of a thunderclap out of a clear sky! 
His consternation had taken him from the ballroom ; 
he resolved to go away, where he could think over 
the evening’s incident at his leisure. Hence his dis- 
appearance from accustomed haunts for a fortnight. 

And now that he had resolved to dare all once more, 
he felt at ease. He would compel this girl to 
acknowledge his importance. Thinking thus, he 
glanced at his watch, surprised to discover that it was 
past the noon hour, and that he had entirely for- 
gotten his breakfast. The porter entered oppor- 
tunely just then. 

“ Beg pardon, sir,” he said, politely, “ but don’t 
you want some dinner ? ” 


A FIXED RESOLVE 


13 


Webster Van Deever certainly wanted dinner, and 
ordered it, finishing it up with a good cigar. As the 
clouds of smoke formed, changed, and dissolved 
above his head, his day-dreams continued. The 
faces of friends, dearly-loved, floated before him, 
greeting him like fairies from a land of enchantment. 
He lived all his happiest moments over again — the 
happy days of boyish independence, the excitement of 
baseball and footfall, and the relaxation of vacation, 
the college debates, and the crowning glory of all, 
when, at his graduation, he read his original disserta- 
tion on “ Rousseau and the Genesis of Darwin,” which 
had won the applause of his associates, the degree of 
doctor of philosophy from the faculty, and the pres- 
ent of one million dollars from a proud and idolizing 
father ! 

Nor were feminine charms lacking from the array 
of faces. His handsome personality, fine physique, 
perfect health, and the charm of his wealth had won 
him smiles a plenty, and adulation that would have 
been less harmful had not the spoiled young fellow 
accepted it in such good faith. His position as man- 
ager of the Chicago office had not interfered with 
any of his pleasures. But he was awakened from 
his self-indulgent, self-satisfied mood when Margaret 
Redmond met his glance with her own charming, 
innocent gaze. 

“ Yes,” echoed the words of the priest. “ She is 
a child of God! And her whole delight consists in 
her knowing, loving, and serving Him ! ” 

“ After all,” Webster Van Deever asked himself, 


14 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ why should we suppose that God does not exist ? 
Does evolution adequately account for the existence 
of matter? Especially of organic matter? But if 
the creation theory is correct, how can we account 
for the presence of evil in the world? The God of 
goodness in whom Christians believe, should have 
prevented evil. . . . 

“ It is almost certain that I have free will. Sup- 
posing, then, that the God of Christianity is my 
Master, how would I fare before His judgment-seat 
if this train had been wrecked by falling down the 
mountain-side ? . . . 

“ But my philosophy denies the existence of man’s 
spiritual nature . . . and yet . . . and yet 

. . . does not Margaret Redmond’s very fascina- 

tion consist in the fact that we are direct opposites? 
She is refined, true . . . there are many young 

ladies of my acquaintance cultured and refined. 
. . . She is attractive physically . . . not 

more so than others whom I know. But she is 
spiritual, I am sensual — and as long as those others 
are vain, selfish, and worldly-minded as myself, I can 
not esteem them for the very faults which I feel they 
and I must have in her eyes.” 

So much for Webster Van Deever’s reasoning. 
He did not know the truth St. Paul expressed to the 
Galatians — he had never heard it : “ The flesh 

lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the 
flesh, for these are contrary one to the other.” He 
was simply exemplifying it by his conduct, for never 
is this truth more clearly proven than by the fact that 


A FIXED RESOLVE 


15 


every man, no matter how loose his conduct has been, 
instinctively seeks a pure, clean-hearted woman for 
his wife. 

And thinking these things he drifted off into the 
land of dreams. Margaret Redmond appeared to him 
as she had been the night of the ball, charming, 
graceful and lovely. In her hand, however, she 
seemed to hold a roll of manuscript, and as he gazed 
upon it, he saw that it was his dearly-loved essay, 
“ Rousseau and the Genesis of Darwinism.” 

“Will you do me a favor, Mr. Van Deever?” she 
asked, in a pleading tone. 

He marveled how she had heard of this, which had 
really been the one achievement of his life of which 
he was inordinately proud. But he answered without 
hesitation that he would stop at no sacrifice for her 
sake. 

“ Then burn this nonsense,” she said, and her eyes 
flashed and her lips curled as they had done on that 
never-to-be-forgotten night. 

“ I will, I will ! ” he exclaimed. “ Anything, any- 
thing, only do not look at me like that, Margaret ! ” 

“ Chicago ! All change ! ” 

The porter, with a broad smile, was standing over 
him, shaking him vigorously. He had overheard that 
last remark, which Van Deever had uttered aloud. 

“ You certainly had a fine sleep, mister ! ” he said, 
as the young man arose, and, after a liberal tip, turned 
from his compartment toward the station. 


CHAPTER III 


PERPLEXITIES 

TJHILIP REDMOND had been a Georgetown 
graduate, and began his business career in 
Baltimore, where he met and married Katharine 
Hawley. Shortly afterward the young man inherited 
a small fortune and went to Chicago with his bride, 
opening a brokerage office in State Street. By in- 
tegrity and application he succeeded so well in a 
material way that he was able to provide comforts, 
even luxuries, for his wife and their one child, 
Margaret. As the girl grew up she was given the 
advantages of a thorough education, and then, as she 
and her father were inseparable, and as she dearly 
loved to assist him in his work, she took a commercial 
course after her graduation, and acquired special pro- 
ficiency as a stenographer. Because of this it hap- 
pened that when the crisis came, and Margaret was 
unexpectedly thrown on her own resources, she was 
equipped to enter the ranks of the bread-earners. 
Her father’s death, and the feeling that her mother 
would depend entirely upon her only child in the 
future weighed heavily on the girl at first, especially 
the sense of responsibility. But this soon passed, and 
ere long she took a more cheerful view. 

16 


PERPLEXITIES 


17 


So, in spite of the protests of her friends, Mar- 
garet Redmond opened an office in the Equitable 
Building, and by her charming manner and conscien- 
tious and clever work, soon established a reputation. 
She had done fairly well for two years past, though 
she was never as prosperous as her friends imagined. 
As long as work was plentiful and the income regular, 
she was able to meet current expenses. But there 
were times when she was forced to draw on her 
meager reserve. The coming of the dull winter 
season often saw a material increase in expenses, and 
an alarming irregularity of income, which soon ceased 
altogether, practically. She was passing through one 
of these experiences now — only that it seemed a 
little harder to bear than the preceding ones, for she 
was forced to draw out the last dollar she had de- 
posited. 

This was surely enough to fill the most courageous 
heart with gloom, and it certainly had a depressing 
effect on Margaret Redmond. She had trusted in 
Providence utterly to see her through this period of 
disaster, but she asked herself often, with the humility 
of a really pious soul, if she deserved the blessings 
of heaven. At this time there was an even greater 
trial in store. Her mother was taken quite ill one 
morning, first with a severe chill, followed by a high 
fever. Though Mrs. Redmond’s health was not 
robust, she had managed to do all that was necessary 
in her small home. Of late, however, this strength 
seemed failing, and Dr. King, the family physician, 
hastily summoned, did all he could to make her com- 


i8 


MARGARET'S INFLUENCE 


fortable. He ordered her to remain in bed and in- 
sisted on extreme punctuality in the giving of the 
medicine. He shook his head gravely in answer to 
Margaret’s inquiring look as she accompanied him to 
the door. 

“ I’m afraid it is the grippe,” he said. “ She needs 
absolute quiet and good nursing. I will call again this 
evening. Be sure, above all, to give her the medicine 
regularly.” 

This injunction was unnecessary for a daughter as 
devoted as Margaret had always been. She busied 
herself about the house and waited on her mother 
with tenderest care, determined that no matter how 
her affairs went she would not leave her alone until 
she was fully recovered. 

“ God bless you, Margaret ! ” murmured Mrs. Red- 
mond, feebly. “ I can never thank God enough for 
the consolation you have been to me since your dear 
father died. But you must not neglect the office — 
go down if only for an hour, since I am so comfort- 
able. Give me my beads like a good girl. So. 
Thank you, dear.” 

No wonder Margaret Redmond felt worried and 
depressed as she kissed her mother good-by for a 
short while. Never before had the sense of responsi- 
bility and helplessness weighed so heavily upon her. 
She seated herself at her desk and tried to think. In- 
stead of aiding, fortune seemed to taunt her this 
gloomy January morning. She could see no ray of 
sunlight in the darkness, and lost in painful thought 
she was staring abstractedly before her. Rent-bills, 


PERPLEXITIES 


19 


grocery-bills, light-bills, coal-bills, doctor’s-bills, 
seemed to assail her on every side. In her distress 
Margaret breathed a fervent prayer to Our Lady of 
the Rosary that she might tide her over present 
difficulties. For once her prayer seemed answered 
before she had concluded her devotions. Margaret 
distinctly heard the clicking of the elevator — then 
came a rapid step along the corridor, and a quick 
knock at her door. 

The girl’s heart jumped expectantly as she looked 
up and said, “ Come in ! ” 

To her surprise a messenger boy entered, deposited 
a parcel on her desk, raised his cap, bowed politely 
and disappeared as quickly as he had come, before the 
girl had time to ask him any questions. 

“ Thank God ! ” she said. “ It’s some typewriting 
to be done, I suppose.” 

She picked up the parcel — it seemed very light, 
and now Margaret was indeed mystified. She opened 
it with some misgivings, and there, before her as- 
tonished gaze, lay a bunch of superb American Beauty 
roses. She picked up the card attached. “ With a 
friend’s best wishes.” For a few moments the girl 
sat staring at the roses, inhaling their delicious frag- 
rance. What woman does not revel in flowers! and 
these, among the choicest she had ever seen, were 
splendid. She took one of the long-stemmed beauties 
in her hand and brushed it softly across her face with 
a caressing motion. 

“ Who sent you ? ” she asked, coaxingly. “ Where 
did you come from? Not from any old friend, that 


20 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


is sure, or you would have gone to the house. From 
one of my employers? But that is simply out of the 
question.” 

A vague foreboding of some new danger suddenly 
descended upon the girl. In her abstraction she 
pulled at the rose she held. Unconscious of what she 
was doing, she stripped the petals one by one until 
only the naked stem remained in her trembling hand. 
The sound of merry voices roused her, and she looked 
around to see two of her girl friends entering the 
room. 

“ Well, I declare ! ” cried Genevieve Harty, with a 
meaning glance at the roses. 

“ Congratulations, Margaret ! ” said Hattie Brown. 

Then Genevieve, looking at her friend, saw some- 
thing clear and silvery shining on her dark lashes. 
With an affectionate gesture, she put her arm about 
her, and kissed her gently on the cheek. 

“ What is the matter ? ” she asked, with some con- 
cern. “ We’ve just been laid off — no work for us 
for a while, the season is at its worst now. We 
thought we’d pay you a visit in passing. Why are 
you so downhearted ? ” 

“ Especially when surrounded by American Beau- 
ties ! ” laughed the other young lady. 

“ It was good of you to think of me,” said Mar- 
garet, gratefully. 

“ You’re not rushed to death, I notice,” said Miss 
Brown. “ But who sent you these flowers ? There 
are no hard times in that person’s family.” 

“ Tell us, Margaret,” urged Genevieve. 


PERPLEXITIES 


21 


“ Why I can’t,” answered Margaret Redmond. 
“ I don’t know — and I can’t even guess. The mes- 
senger boy who brought them was gone before I 
could ask a single word.” 

“ Lucky, lucky ! ” sighed Miss Brown, with a teas- 
ing smile. 

“ But you were put out over something when we 
came in,” said Genevieve. “ We knocked three or 
four times. What is the trouble ? ” 

“ Lots of it,” said Margaret. “ Mother is down 
with the grippe, and she’s never been strong, so that I 
am afraid of complications. Then I’ve been without 
a single thing to do for a week; there’s nothing in 
prospect — and bills, bills, bills! Wouldn’t that 
bother you?” 

“ It certainly would,” agreed Genevieve. “ And on 
top of that comes the mystery of the roses.” She 
bent toward the box and sniffed luxuriously. 
“ Aren’t they perfect beauties ! ” 

Miss Brown picked them up and thrust her piquant 
dark face through the clustering bloom. 

“ I have a suggestion to make,” she said, “ and lots 
of fun it will be, too. Shut up shop, Margaret, and 
we’ll run off to a fortune-teller and find out who sent 
them. I know a fine woman.” 

“ I won’t do anything of the kind,” said Margaret, 
quickly and decidedly, “ if I never find out! I haven’t 
any money even to give away — and that would be 
throwing it away.” 

“ I agree with you,” said Genevieve, in disgust. 
“ No fortune-teller for me ! ” 


22 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Why, Genevieve Harty ! Since when have you 
become scrupulous? You know you went to one of 
them only a month ago,” exclaimed Miss Brown, a lit- 
tle ruffled at their apparent and decided rebuff. 

“ I did,” said Genevieve, gravely, “ and thereby 
hangs a tale — not as sweet nor as mystifying as the 
tale of the roses, but — Well, Father Morrin had 
something to say about it last Saturday night — he 
made me squirm, I tell you! But he couldn’t make 
me feel any more foolish than I knew myself to be.” 

Margaret looked at her inquiringly. 

“ Now you know some of them do tell you — ” be- 
gan Miss Brown. 

“ Indeed they do. Listen. I knew it was silly — 
and I think sensible girls are silly quite often over 
some things — but I’ve learned my lesson. We just 
go out of pure curiosity, willing to believe all that non- 
sense about a happy marriage and lots of money and 
all that — for the amusement of hearing it. At least 
most of us. Only the really stupid ones have any 
faith in them. Well, I was twenty -three last month, 
and something put it into my head to try one of them 
just for fun. Off I went and paid fifty cents to learn 
that I would marry a very rich and handsome young 
man, who would make me a splendid and congenial 
companion! We were to live a long life of perfect 
happiness ! ” 

“ Oh ! Go on ! ” exclaimed Miss Brown, fervently. 
“ That was delightful.” 

“ So it was — but I wanted something additional — 


PERPLEXITIES 


23 


I wanted to hear that all over again, and from some 
one who could tell me more — at an advanced price, 
of course. It was my birthday, and I felt I could 
be extravagant. This time the charge was a dollar.” 

“ And ? ” suggested Miss Brown. 

“ Yes, and ? The wretch — I could hardly believe 
my ears ! — said ‘ I am very sorry, my dear young 
lady, but this line in your hand denotes that you will 
marry a drunkard, who will abuse and neglect you. 
After four years of married life you will die of a 
broken heart ! ’ ” 

Genevieve’s expression was so lugubrious, and her 
mimicry so perfect, that Margaret laughed heartily. 
She could not help it. Her friend made a little 
grimace. 

“ The idea ! ” said Miss Brown. “ And she charged 
you a dollar for that ? ” 

“ There is more to come,” pursued Genevieve. 
“ Let me be an example — a horrible example ! Up 
I got, really indignant. I was so convinced that the 
first one was right that I was willing to spend my last 
penny to confirm my belief in her. So I went in to 
that Hindoo fakir in the Annex. There were many 
ladies waiting their turn when I got there — and I 
counted twenty-eight while I was waiting. Twenty- 
eight at two dollars and a half a piece! Think of 
that ! I amused myself doing the sum mentally. At 
last it was my turn. I paid the fee and got a little 
blue-colored slip. My friend the fakir read my hand, 
consulted his charts, shuffled his cards again and again. 


24 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


Then he sat staring into a dish of water until I got the 
fidgets, after which he read for a while in some old 
book he had. 

“ Then turning to me he said sympathetically. 4 1 
see before you a quiet, uneventful life.’ 

44 4 Shall I marry soon? ’ I inquired. 

44 He shook his head. 

44 4 No,’ he answered, 4 there is no marriage indi- 
cated. You are destined to live your life alone.’ 

44 Now, what do you think of that? Was there 
ever such a lot of humbug? ” demanded Genevieve. 

44 1 think so too,” said Miss Brown, decidedly. 44 1 
guess Margaret is right — it would be throwing 
money away.” 

44 For your wisdom you both deserve an American 
Beauty,” said Margaret, handing each a rose. 

44 Oh, thank you ! ” they cried together. And once 
more the topic of the roses was brought under dis- 
cussion. Margaret’s business and visiting lists were 
gone over, but not one person presented himself or 
herself who could possibly have sent them. Miss 
Brown informed Margaret that her people were going 
to start for the Pacific coast in a few days, and that 
she was going with them. She then took an affec- 
tionate leave of both girls and went away. 

Genevieve’s naturally kind heart had already 
prompted her to a course of action, and she now told 
Margaret that she meant to stay with her and take 
care of her mother while she, Margaret, looked for 
employment. It took a good deal of eloquent pleading 
to persuade the girl to accept this generous offer, but 


PERPLEXITIES 


25 


she finally agreed. Soon after Genevieve left, Marga- 
ret, too, departed. On her way she slipped into St. 
Mary’s to say a fervent prayer before the Tabernacle. 
She left some of her roses at Mary’s shrine and before 
the statue of the Sacred Heart. When she finally ar- 
rived home, she found her mother feeling much bet- 
ter, and playfully shook out her fragrant blossoms on 
the snowy counterpane. Mrs. Redmond was inclined 
to chide her for her extravagance, but when she heard 
the story, she too, was puzzled. 


CHAPTER IV 


ENLIGHTENMENT 

A T the depot Webster Van Deever was greeted by 
** ^ one Ellsworth Jenkins, who had come down in 
an automobile in answer to his telegram. As Mr. 
Jenkins was nominally the vice-president of the west- 
ern branch of the Van Deever concern, and in reality 
the head of the Chicago office, he is perhaps worthy of 
more than a passing notice. In the words of one of 
his associates, he was “ a man possessed of the most 
unenviable qualities, deceitful, over-bearing, appar- 
ently without heart, and with an utter disregard for 
the feelings of others. He never permitted a wrong, 
or even an imaginary slight, to pass unnoticed, and 
once his resentment was aroused he would brood over 
the injury for weeks and even months while he delib- 
erately planned a revenge he never failed to take.” 

His appearance did not belie this description of his 
character. He was short of stature, slim and attenu- 
ated of build, with an abnormally long and thin coun- 
tenance ; his complexion was sallow, his eyes pale-blue, 
his nose thin and pointed, and his mouth curved down- 
ward by an habitual constriction of the lips. He wore 
his pale-yellow hair quite long, parted in the middle, 
and then combed in such a way that it clung tightly to 
his scalp from his forehead to the back of his neck. 
26 


ENLIGHTENMENT 


27 

“ The man with the withered mane,” the clerks, who 
heartily hated him, called him. 

“ How is business?” asked Van Deever, now, 
grasping Mr. Jenkins’ hand and shaking it heartily. 

“ Business is good and things are going quite 
briskly,” he answered. “ We are all right at the of- 
fice, only that Miss Long has been taken ill and has 
had to go to the hospital — just when we are making 
out our annual report to New York.” 

“ That’s too bad,” said Webster Van Deever, 
lightly. “ Have you found a substitute ? ” 

“ Not yet.” 

“ I think I know of one,” went on the young man, 
after a few moments’ reflection. “ As long as affairs 
are all right, we can let them go until morning. I had 
a fine trip and after a night’s rest I will be in good 
condition for work. Let us go to the Auditorium.” 

When Webster Van Deever finally arrived at the 
magnificent mansion which his father owned on Jack- 
son Boulevard he was in excellent spirits. Pleasant 
thoughts, the refreshing sleep on the train, followed 
by the encouraging report of Mr. Jenkins and a hearty 
meal at the Auditorium, had brought peace to body 
and soul. But the image of Margaret Redmond 
would not be effaced, and it came before him all the 
more strongly when, at the entrance of his home, he 
was met by his valet, Andy O’Regan. Devotedly at- 
tached to the young man, whom he had held in his 
arms when he was a child, he had heard with delight 
of his return to the city. Now, as the automobile 
drew up before the entrance he hastened forward 


28 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


to meet him, his honest face beaming with pleasure. 

Like Miss Redmond, Andy was a devout Catholic. 
This thought, which struck Van Deever forcibly now, 
seemed to create a new bond between them. He won- 
dered a little if the beautiful girl he worshiped, the 
priest who had only kept his scorn of him from his 
voice and face by a great effort, and this deeply-at- 
tached servant really believed in the same things — 
the same God and the same faith. He would try to 
find out. 

“ Are you glad to see me back, Andy ? ” he asked, 
as he entered his apartments, followed by Andy, bear- 
ing his traveling bag. 

“ Troth, I am that, as sure as God made the 
world ! ” declared Andy with fervor. 44 And pleased 
to see you looking so well, too, after your journey.” 

The young man laughed and lighted a cigar. 
Andy’s words fitted into his thoughts without a jar- 
ring note. 

44 As sure as God made the world ! ” he repeated, 
seating himself before the fire. 44 Then you’re not 
sure at all, Andy — for this world wasn’t made. It 
has always existed.” 

“ I have heard,” said Andy, seriously, as he opened 
the hand-bag and shook out some of the garments it 
contained, “ that there are learned people that say such 
things. But the first words of the Bible are good 
enough for me. 4 In the beginning God created 
heaven and earth.’ ” 

44 Then you don’t agree with the learned ones,” said 
Van Deever, idly. 


ENLIGHTENMENT 


29 


“ Sure, Pope Leo, God rest him, says, ‘ We must 
give the learned time to learn by blundering.’ From 
the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper to this day, 
I never saw as much as a mudpie that wasn’t made by 
somebody.” 

“ Good, good ! ” said Webster Van Deever, laugh- 
ing at the quaint way in which his old servant had dis- 
posed of the cardinal principle of materialism. “ But 
what do you think of the world making itself.” 

Andy beamed on his master with genial triumph. 

“If it did that it would be a very smart world in- 
deed, Mr. Van Deever. It must have gotten out a 
patent on its work and crowded all competition off the 
market.” 

Again Van Deever laughed heartily — he had not 
known Andy was so original. 

“ It must even have gone another step and prevented 
all imitation. At any rate there hasn’t been any one 
else enter the race.” 

“Why, Andy, you’re a philosopher!” said Van 
Deever, “ An out and out philosopher ! But what 
would you say to the theory so many people hold to- 
day — that all this world is God ? ” 

“And would you believe it yourself, sir?” asked 
Andy, frankly. “ Did you ever hear of a rock think- 
ing, or of a humming-bird writing a song, or a cat 
playing the fiddle, now did you? I’m afraid this poor 
world has too weak a constitution to be God. God is 
an intelligent free being. He is supreme. The world 
has no understanding. It is governed by fixed laws, 
and is subject to their author.” 


30 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ You don’t understand, Andy,” said Webster Van 
Deever. “ The universe is God. The material part 
which we see is His body, and the principle of vitality 
is His soul.” 

Andy shook his head gravely. 

“ Maybe I don’t understand you right, sir — it’s 
hard for a poor old man like me to be keeping up to 
date with them new-fangled notions.” He was ar- 
ranging Van Deever’s brushes on the dresser as he 
spoke. “ If I would be going to the butcher-shop and 
buying you a slice of steak, now, would I be fetching 
you home a bit of God — God forgive me for saying 
it ! ” he ejaculated. “Or if you had met with an acci- 
dent on the train coming home, and been killed, would 
we have lost another part of God? ” 

“ Oh, no, that would have been the absorption into 
God of your beloved master,” said Van Deever. He 
wondered why his old servant had made that remark 
— had he not asked himself on the way home what 
would occur to him, if he fell into the hands of the 
living God? Andy gave him a keen glance. 

“ That’s a bad system, for you if not for me,” said 
Andy. 

“ In what way? ” asked his master. 

“Why, if I had murdered you instead of serving 
you and your father faithfully these last twenty-six 
years I would have hastened your perfection by many 
a day. None of that for me! Mr. Van Deever! 
It’s just as our priest said in his sermon last Sunday. 
‘ The human heart is always corrupted first,’ said he, 


ENLIGHTENMENT 31 

‘ before the head rules God out of existence or frees 
itself from His dominion! ’ ” 

“ And that’s the opinion you have of me after all 
these years! ” said Van Deever, in an injured tone. 

“ There was nothing further from my mind,” pro- 
tested Andy, hastily, when he saw that his master had 
applied words to himself which he had only stated as 
a general truth. “ You never were a church member, 
sir, but at any rate, you’ve treated me like a Christian, 
and far better than I deserve.” 

Though amused and even surprised by the extent of 
his servant’s reasoning, Webster Van Deever had not 
yet discovered wherein lay his likeness to Margaret 
Redmond. He felt that he would like to go into the 
matter further with Andy. He had thought to puzzle 
and confuse him, but he found that he had done 
neither. 

“ I wonder if I’ll surprise you, Andy, when I tell 
you I went to confession to-day,” he said. 

Andy O’Regan stared at his master in such incred- 
ulousness and perplexity that Van Deever laughed out- 
right. 

“ You shouldn’t make fun of sacred things, sir,” 
said Andy, in a hurt tone. 

“ But I did go, Andy. I met a priest on the train 
and told him all my troubles. Isn’t that what Catho- 
lics call going to confession?” 

“ Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” said Andy, somewhat 
irritated. “ When I go to confession it is to tell my 
offences against God and His holy Church.” 


3 2 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ I don’t think I looked at it that way,” said Van 
Deever. “ What else do you do, Andy ? ” 

“ Oh, with the poor publican I say, ‘ God have 
mercy on me, a sinner. I am sorry for having abused 
your infinite goodness, and I resolve from now on to 
live as a decent Christian.’ ” 

“And what has the priest to do with it?” asked 
Van Deever, curiously. 

“ Why, sir, he stands in God’s place to me, and 
when he says ‘ Go in peace ! ’ or ‘ God bless you ! ’ I 
feel light and glad at heart. Once, sir, when I was a 
little lad, I disobeyed my mother, and I knew that I de- 
served and ought to get a sound trouncing. But she 
gave me a kiss and a big hug instead — when I told 
her I was sorry and wouldn’t do it again. That’s the 
way confession makes you feel, sir.” 

He looked at his master a moment, curiously. 

“ It isn’t true now, is it ? ” he said, coaxingly. “ I 
didn’t know you were a child of God. Forgive me 
for asking, but did the priest say 4 God bless you ! ’ or 
anything like that?” 

Van Deever thought of his conversation with the 
priest, and wondered what had come over his senti- 
ments to make him feel so thoroughly ashamed. 

“ Indeed he did not, Andy,” he answered. “ On 
the contrary he said he could not congratulate me on 
my prospects.” 

“ God help you, sir,” said Andy, with sincere com- 
passion. “ You have my sympathy and my prayers. 
But, sure, sir, you didn’t tell him right — maybe he 
didn’t understand you. It would be a terrible thing to 


ENLIGHTENMENT 


33 

have a priest tell you you were on your way to perdi- 
tion.” 

“ No, Andy,” said Van Deever, touched by the old 
man’s evident solicitude, “ I am not a Catholic, and I 
did not go to what you would call confession. But I 
must ask you one more question. What do you mean 
by the words ‘ a child of God ’ ? ” 

“ Why — a friend of God, sir,” said Andy. 

“ You’ll have to be plainer than that, Andy.” 

“ You see, sir, if your mother took in a poor, ragged 
boy off the street, and treated him as if he were your 
brother, she’d become his mother by adoption, 
wouldn’t she? Well, when we’re baptized the Al- 
mighty takes us as His children, and gives us His Son 
for our brother. Now if, after baptism, I appreciate 
the goodness of God and try to please Him in all I do, 
I am a child of God, indeed.” 

“ That is certainly clear enough, at any rate,” said 
Van Deever. “ After all, it is only the person who 
appreciates God’s goodness and tries to please God al- 
ways who would have the moral character of Mar- 
garet Red — ” He saw Andy’s questioning gaze fas- 
tened upon him, and checked himself hurriedly. 
“ You see the priest on the train said something about 
being a child of God which I failed to understand. I 
comprehend now, Andy. But I’m keeping you up 
late,” he added. “ Go to bed.” 

“ You mustn’t think I mind it, Mr. Webster,” said 
Andy, with great earnestness. “ This has been one of 
the happiest hours of my life since I entered your 
father’s employment twenty-six years ago. Good- 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


34 

night, sir — and may God’s angels watch over you!” 

“ Thank you, Andy,” said Van Deever, looking at 
him in the puzzled way of a man who understands lit- 
tle, for he had no clue as to why this hour should be 
the happiest of Andy’s life. “ I wish that one, at 
least, of God’s angels might remember me in her 
prayers.” 

As soon as Andy O’Regan reached his own room he 
knelt beside his bed, and thanked God for this unex- 
pected favor. When this good man entered the Van 
Deever service so many years before, the elder, then a 
comparatively poor man, and filled with a strong 
hatred for the Catholic faith, had exacted a solemn 
promise that, unless he were asked, he would never 
mention his religion to any member of the Van Deever 
family. Even in those days the prejudice against 
the Catholic religion was much stronger than it is to- 
day. Andy promised, and faithfully and honestly 
kept his word. Nevertheless, he had not failed to 
prime himself with reasons for the faith that was in 
him, and twenty-six years of such preparation is apt 
to give a man a wide and extensive knowledge of his 
subject. He thanked God with all his heart that the 
time had come ; he prayed that the young man he loved 
might be really sincere in putting the questions he did ; 
and he asked that opportunity might soon arise for 
further conversation on the subject. And then he be- 
sought of God to save one who was so naturally kind 
and good from the consequences which he feared the 
priest had predicted. 


ENLIGHTENMENT 


35 


It was late when Webster Van Deever retired. At 
one o’clock he was still standing before the fireplace, 
absorbed in thought. And on the glowing gas logs 
rested strange black embers, as of charred paper. 


CHAPTER V 


A MAN OF ACTION 



S soon as Andy went away Webster Van Deever 


1 ^ turned his chair, and faced the cheerful glow of 
the leaping flames in the grate. His hands were in his 
pockets, his large eyes fixed on the fire with an ab- 
sorbed expression. 

“ If I appreciate the goodness of God, and seek to 
please Him in all things, I am a child of God indeed,” 
he repeated again and again, until the words seemed to 
glow in his imagination like the flames before him. 

“ That girl makes God the beginning, the motive 
power, and the end of her existence,” he reflected. 
“ And I have been taught and believed that I was the 
pivot on which the universe revolved.” 

He shook his head. 

“ At least,” he said, half-aloud, “ I can see how an- 
tipodal we have been. Can we meet each other half- 
way now? I have been drifting all my life — I have 
no principles to sacrifice. Am I willing to adopt prin- 
ciples for her sake? She appears to me as both a 
beacon and a harbor of safety.” 

Again he mused upon these words. 

“ But Margaret ! Will she sacrifice any of her 
principles for me ? It has been done by others — but 
will she do it ? ” He asked this question with some 


36 


A MAN OF ACTION 


37 


misgivings. “ Yet she must,” he concluded, “ since 
harmony is necessary to mutual happiness, and mutual 
sacrifice will be necessary to produce this harmony. 
A child of God and a man of the world! Margaret 
will understand that I must act as a man of the world. 
I will be careful not to pain her in any way. . . 

He was thoughtful then for a few moments. 

“ But first I must become better acquainted with 
her. She must come into the office — and then, if she 
is all that I imagine her to be, I will win my way into 
her heart. What woman could repulse kindness, 
thoughtfulness, attention, affection? The day shall 
come when she will give me her hand and her lips of 
her own free will, and accept me as her husband ! I 
shall give up much for her sake, and she must give up 
much for mine.” 

And then he shook his dark head impatiently. 

“Fool, fool!” he said. “Would the sacrifice I 
asked not rob her of the very charm of character that 
I find so fascinating — her remoteness, her aloofness, 
her modesty, her sterling sense of right and wrong? 
Would it not make her a traitor to her conscience, and 
to that God whose child she is? Would it not pave 
the way to misery for us both? No, no! She must 
remain as she is — God’s beloved, and if I would 
travel through life with her I must rise to her level! ” 

And then, in the flames before him, he seemed to see 
Margaret’s face, her eyes scornful, her lips curving, 
holding in her hand his dissertation on “ Rousseau.” 
He remembered his dream of that day and the words 
of the girl in that dream. “ Burn this nonsense ! ” 


38 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ I will, I will ! ” he exclaimed. He rose to his 
feet, went to the drawer of his desk and pulled out 
the manuscript of his beloved essay. It was still dear 
to him — his crowning production of University days. 
And yet the doctrine it maintained was far removed 
from the sentiments held by Margaret Redmond. 

He watched the pages burn without regret. He 
had started on a new course — a new life opened be- 
fore him. He was satisfied. 


After greeting the clerks pleasantly when he reached 
the office on the following morning Webster Van Dee- 
ver approached Mr. Jenkins and spoke of the subject 
which now filled his thoughts. 

“ Perhaps we can secure Miss Redmond’s services, 
temporarily, during Miss Long’s illness,” he said. 
“ Her office is at 932 Equitable Building. You know 
how bright she is, so call on her as soon as you can, 
and bring her back with you, if she will come. And,” 
he added, as if by an afterthought, “ don’t mention my 
name. If she accepts, I will arrange about the sal- 
ary.” And having attended to various urgent mat- 
ters, Van Deever went into his private office to take 
care of the mail which had accumulated during his 
absence. 

When Mr. Jenkins entered the elevator in the 
Equitable Building, it happened that a young lady of 
prepossessing appearance entered with him. Both 
alighted at the same floor and directed their steps to- 
ward room 932. Margaret Redmond had accepted the 
kind offer of her old friend and schoolmate, Gene- 


A MAN OF ACTION 


39 


vieve Harty, to care for her mother during her absence 
from home, and had come to the office hoping almost 
against hope that she might find some work offered. 
She was, therefore, well pleased when Mr. Jenkins en- 
tered the room behind her. 

“You are Miss Redmond ?” he asked, politely. 
“ Our stenographer is down with the grippe, and as 
this is our busiest season I have come to see if you 
can help us out — at least until we have made up our 
annual statement.” 

Margaret was quite accustomed to “ rush ” positions 
of this sort, which generally meant long hours. 

“ I shall be very happy to be of assistance,” she an- 
swered. “ But I can not promise to give you any 
more than the regular day’s service. My mother is 
quite ill, and I must be at home in reasonable time.” 

“ We shall only ask the time you can afford to give,” 
said Mr. Jenkins, pleasantly. “ And we are prepared 
to remunerate you well.” 

“ That is kind,” said Margaret, really eager to avail 
herself, if possible, of this tempting offer, and to earn 
a few dollars to cover current expenses. “ I will go 
with you now, if you are ready.” 

Before accepting such a position under other circum- 
stances, Margaret would have made careful inquiries 
about the nature of the work to be done, as well as 
the people with whom she would have dealings. But 
now, the question of the time spent away from her 
mother being settled, Margaret, like a drowning per- 
son grasping at a straw, was not disposed to be over- 
particular. 


40 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


All unconscious of the double surprise that awaited 
her, she followed Mr. Jenkins to the office of the Van 
Deever concern, and her heart began to beat with 
strange emotion when she discovered that they ap- 
proached the very building which she had so often 
visited during her earlier and happier days! These 
had been her father’s own rooms ! And now she stood 
on the threshold of what had been for years his own 
private office, where she worked with him and beside 
him ! 

No wonder her heart ached and her eyes grew 
moist! And then she entered the room to meet her 
new employer, vaguely fancying that she could see 
her father’s form seated in his old familiar place at 
the big desk. Her sweet lips trembled as she closed 
the door behind her. And, then, from her father’s 
place, rose the tall, dark young man who had once 
so presumptuously offended her! 

He could not perceive her agitation without guess- 
ing at its cause. He bowed distantly and politely. 

“ It is indeed kind of you,” he began, in a calm, 
business-like voice, “ to help us out like this, Miss Red- 
mond. Mr. Jenkins has told me your mother is ill, 
so we will allow you to regulate your own hours and 
we know we shall not be the sufferers.” Again he 
bowed, showing his firm, white teeth in a pleasant 
smile. “ It is nothing serious, I hope ? ” 

“ She has never been very strong,” murmured Mar- 
garet. Her limbs were trembling now, and her fair 
face had grown very pale. “ I am sorry, Mr. Van 
Deever,” she said, trying to control her voice and put 


A MAN OF ACTION 


4i 


from her the bitter and sad memories which the sight 
of this room had awakened. Here she had witnessed 
her father’s anguish and worry, and it was from the 
day of his failure that her mother’s health had begun 
to wane. “ I am sorry,” she repeated, “ but I fear 
that I can not accept this position.” 

A look of blank disappointment overspread the 
young man’s dark face. Her distress was so apparent 
that he was deeply touched, and being a man of noble 
impulse and quick decision, he said that which came 
uppermost to his mind. 

“ Perhaps you fear she will not have proper care ? 
Is that it? We would gladly engage a professional 
nurse — ” 

“ Oh, no, no ! ” exclaimed Margaret, deeply embar- 
rassed now at his evident solicitude. “ I could not 
work here, where my — ” she hesitated. “ There are 
other circumstances which will prevent me accepting 
your kind offer. I thank you very much, sir, and wish 
you good — ” 

“ Miss Redmond! ” exclaimed Webster Van Deever, 
in a panic. He had absolutely no clue but one to her 
distressed manner, he had no knowledge of her fath- 
er’s affairs, beyond a general one, and was ignorant of 
the fact that he stood, practically, on the very spot 
where that dear dead father had once stood. He 
could see nothing in this but a reference to his lamen- 
table conduct at the Charity Ball, and a reminder that 
he had not yet attempted to apologize to her. 

“ Please,” he said, “ do not go like this — do not 
revenge yourself on me now, for an act which I de- 


42 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


plore with all my heart! If you knew how I have 
suffered since, you would pity me! How humiliated 
and miserable I have been ! ” He advanced a step 
nearer and held out his hand pleadingly. “ I apolo- 
gize with all my heart, and beg of you to forgive me 
for my detestable conduct ! ” 

Thoroughly disconcerted and embarrassed, Mar- 
garet Redmond stood looking at the young man with 
wondering eyes. She had, indeed, seen him before — 
a somewhat disagreeable nonentity, to be brushed 
aside as some annoying insect might have been. She 
had not forgotten the incident connected with this 
young man, but she had not recollected it again, and 
certainly it would not interfere with the dignity of the 
services which she, the well-trained and efficient busi- 
ness woman, was prepared to render any employer. 
Now, however, as he stood before her, with an hon- 
est appeal on his handsome face, he won her instant 
esteem. She would have ignored the incident, but her 
womanly generosity impelled her to reveal the real 
cause of her emotion. 

“ Do not refer to that occurrence, I beg of you ! ” 
she said, gently. “ That, indeed, is not the cause of 
my hesitation. But this was my father’s private of- 
fice. He was engaged in business here for many 
years, and it was here that he suffered the wreck of 
all his fortune, crushed by unscrupulous rivals. I did 
not know I was coming to this place this morning, 
Mr. Van Deever. When I last saw this room we had 
everything we could desire, and now I come to it as 
a stranger to earn my bread.” 


A MAN OF ACTION 


43 


She had scarcely ceased when she reproached her- 
self for this outburst of confidence in an utter stranger 
— and then she tried to excuse herself by reflecting 
that she was but returning his kindness to her. Surely 
his sympathy deserved a few pleasant words in return ! 
Little idea had the young man that the unscrupulous 
rivals of whom the young girl spoke were near and 
dear to him. 

“ You have been very brave to take so much respon- 
sibility on your shoulders, and to act in such a coura- 
geous manner,” he said, kindly. “ And perhaps it will 
be a further test of your courage to remain with us 
now. It is difficult to secure anyone who is efficient 
and capable at such short notice, and even if we could,” 
with a smile, “ we prefer you. I want you to show 
your generous forgiveness of the past by remaining 
here.” 

Van Deever’s tact, as well as his sympathetic kind- 
ness, made a deep impression. The girl, therefore, 
could hesitate no longer, and she would not feel it 
right, especially when she so needed the position. She 
started in immediately, and her efficiency did not fail 
when put to the test. She worked rapidly and ac- 
curately. With the coming of the noon-hour, the 
young man approached her desk. 

“ I am passing your house on the way to lunch,” 
he said, “ and my car is at the door. Won’t you allow 
me to take you that far? You will be able to reach 
there so much more quickly.” 

Margaret looked up with some misgivings, but his 
whole manner was so diffident and so kind, that she 


44 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


gave a reluctant consent. As she stepped into the ma- 
chine Van Deever handed her a small envelope. 

“ I have no doubt you will need money for immedi- 
ate expenses,” he said, “ so I am giving you a month’s 
salary in advance. You will have to take care of Miss 
Long’s desk for that time at least and afterward — 
well, I have other work in mind. Our business has 
increased tremendously of late.” 

Margaret’s head seemed to reel. She was so be- 
wildered that she could not decide whether she was 
doing right in accepting this or not. She looked 
straight before her, pondering. 

“ You will be surprised, perhaps, that I seem to 
take so much interest in your work and in you,” the 
young man pursued. “ But I really admire your 
courage. And you did me an immense service. I 
am a better man just for having known you, Miss Red- 
mond.” 

Margaret was young, lovely, and human, with all 
her sterling qualities. She had been used to the com- 
forts and luxuries of life and the attentions of a de- 
voted father. All these had been conspicuously ab- 
sent for the last four years, and now the subtle flat- 
tery conveyed by this young man’s words, his evident 
sympathy and his practical way of showing it, im- 
pressed her to a greater degree than she was aware of. 

“I — shall accept this,” she said, after a moment, 
indicating the envelope. “ Under other circumstances 
I could not, but for the present I am grateful and I 
thank you. I will try to do my best to please you.” 

And with these words she sank back in the seat, and 


A MAN OF ACTION 


45 


said nothing more until the automobile drew up in 
front of her modest home. Genevieve Harty was at 
the window. 

“ Oh, oh ! I declare ! Here’s Margaret ! ” she ex- 
claimed. “ In an automobile too, if you please! And 
with as charming a young man beside her — my, isn’t 
he handsome ! He’s coming in, he’s coming in ! ” 

And indeed Webster Van Deever had expressed a 
wish to see Mrs. Redmond for a moment, and Mar- 
garet did not refuse to allow him to enter. Her con- 
science was in arms, she felt guilty of some error, as 
she led the way into the pretty sitting-room. The 
whole morning had been an upsetting one, she thought, 
with some perturbation, and she could not decide, yet, 
what she was to do. Mrs. Redmond was feeling quite 
bright, greeted her daughter warmly, and on being in- 
troduced to Mr. Van Deever gave him a pleasant wel- 
come. She had forgotten the chance acquaintance of 
New Year’s Eve. But now, when she heard the name, 
a thoughtful line crept between her brows. 

“Are you related to Mr. Homer Van Deever of 
New York? Mr. Redmond, my husband, used to 
transact business with him.” 

“Why, I am his son!” said Webster Van Deever, 
well-pleased to think that Margaret’s mother was not 
altogether a stranger. 

“ Oh ! How long have you been in Chicago ? ” 

“ Only since June — I came here soon after my 
graduation,” he replied. “ But the branch office was 
established four years ago by my father’s confidential 
agent, Mr. Jenkins.” 


46 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


A peculiar expression came over Mrs. Redmond’s 
face, and she took no further part in the conversation. 
The young man saw that in some way he had made an 
unfavorable impression, and he was anxious to retrieve 
the ground he had unconsciously lost. As he passed 
through the parlor he observed two large pictures 
hung on the wall. One was the well-known picture 
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the other of the Im- 
maculate Heart of Mary. These pictures held abso- 
lutely no meaning for young Mr. Van Deever, who 
had never seen their like before. 

Turning to Margaret, he remarked, pleasantly, 
“Are these relatives of yours, Miss Redmond?” 

Genevieve Harty looked at him with incredulous 
surprise, and Margaret, glancing from him to the 
pictures and back again, seemed scarcely to believe 
her ears. 

“Relatives! Why, no, Mr. Van Deever, they are 
not relatives.” 

He saw that he had blundered. 

“ I imagined I caught a resemblance between your- 
self and the lady,” he persisted. Then his eyes fell on 
an elaborately bound volume lying on the table. For 
once he felt sure of his ground. 

“ That is a handsome binding,” he said, laying his 
hand on the book. “ Handsomer than I’ve ever seen 
on a dictionary before.” 

“ A dictionary ! ” cried Margaret in an injured 
tone. “ That’s the family Bible.” 

“ We’ve never had a family Bible,” said Van Dee- 
ver, with some humility. “ In fact, I may as well 


A MAN OF ACTION 


47 


acknowledge my ignorance at once, and tell you that 
I’ve never read any of the Bible in my life. My old 
servant, Andy, is fond of quoting it to me. Would 
you mind lending me this copy, Miss Redmond ? ” 

Now it would have been an easy matter for Webster 
Van Deever to procure as many copies of the Bible 
as he might care to have, without asking Margaret 
Redmond for hers. But perhaps it would not have 
been as easy to find further excuse to call on her, and 
this excuse he felt he must have. 

“ Why, of course, you can have it, Mr. Van Dee- 
ver, ” said Margaret Redmond, rather puzzled, it must 
be confessed, at his conduct — as his whole conduct 
of the morning had perplexed her. 

As the young man turned toward the door Gen- 
evieve Harty raised her eyebrows innocently, and 
pointed to the roses on the center-table. 

“ Are you an admirer of American Beauties, Mr. 
Van Deever?” she asked, with an arch smile. From 
the first sight of the young man she had connected him 
with the roses, and now sought to elicit some sign 
from him that would indicate his part in the mystery. 
Van Deever, not thinking of the roses — in fact he 
had not thought of them since sending them — bowed 
politely. 

“ There are two American beauties whom I admire 
exceedingly,” he said, and left the room. 


CHAPTER VI 


REVELATIONS 

TF Webster Van Deever had followed his inclina- 
tions, there would have been no limit to the sum he 
would have placed in the envelope which he handed to 
Margaret. But he was wise enough to feel that he 
must exercise great caution, if he would not, perhaps, 
prejudice the girl still further. Her cold manner and 
the apparent effort she forced herself to make, to treat 
him with cordiality, warned him to be circumspect. 

Now, however, the girl opened the envelope. In- 
side were seven crisp twenty dollar bills — one hun- 
dred and forty dollars. He was paying her, then, at 
the rate of thirty-five dollars a week — a respectable 
salary, indeed, and one that filled her with a sincere 
wish to give him the best work of which she was capa- 
ble. She was used to receiving better wages than the 
ordinary worker, on account of the temporary posi- 
tions which she filled so frequently, and had often re- 
ceived as high as twenty-five dollars a day when court 
was in session. Until quite recently Margaret had 
been rather indifferent to money, but the distress 
through which she had just passed, and the fear that 
she might not be able to provide for her mother as she 
would want to, had alarmed her so that she looked 
48 


REVELATIONS 


49 


upon this sum as a tangible God-send. She thanked 
Him sincerely that He had relieved her of this worry, 
and then went down to her mother’s room. 

“ I am so glad, dearest, that I have the promise of 
steady employment now,” she said, as she kissed her 
tenderly. “ It has come just in the nick of time. 
And Mr. Van Deever has paid me a month’s salary in 
advance. Mother, you can have whatever you want, 
and I’ll be able to pay some of the bills beside. Isn’t 
this great good fortune ? ” she continued, as she pro- 
ceeded to tuck the bank-notes securely into her moth- 
er’s purse. She was so full of happiness that she did 
not notice Mrs. Redmond’s silence, until, turning, she 
was positively shocked to see the tears running down 
her cheeks. 

“ What is the matter, dearest ? ” she said, falling on 
her knees beside the bed. 

“ I don’t know,” said the mother, feebly. “ But — 
I don’t trust that young man, Margaret.” 

“ Oh ! ” said Margaret, blushing hotly. “ But let 
me explain,” and then she related her entire morning’s 
experience, omitting nothing, from the moment she en- 
tered the elevator with Mr. Jenkins, to her return 
home with her new employer. 

“ I noticed you did not take kindly to Mr. Van 
Deever,” she went on, “ and I did not care for him, 
either. But he was so kind and so sympathetic that 
he compelled my respect. I am sure God sent this 
position in answer to our prayers.” 

Mrs. Redmond dared not reveal to Margaret the 

true cause of her fears and antipathy. She tenderly 
4 


50 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


kissed the girl now, who was downhearted because she 
saw that her words had not relieved her mother’s mind. 

“ Everything will be right, my child,” she said, in 
a reassuring tone. “ Calm yourself, and do as you 
think best. Your dinner is waiting — do not let it 
get cold. I have the fullest confidence in you and 
your divine Protectors.” 

Genevieve was surprised to see the tears in her 
friend’s eyes when she entered the dining-room. 

“ Well, now, you’re a fine American beauty ! ” she 
scolded. “ What is the matter ? Do you think your 
mother is worse ? ” 

Margaret shook her head and wiped the tears from 
her cheeks. 

“Well, then! What in the world ails you?” 

“ I am afraid mother is dissatisfied,” she said. She 
went on to relate for the second time her morning’s 
experience. “ I don’t know what she is afraid of, 
Genevieve. Tell me confidently, now, your opinion of 
Mr. Van Deever.” 

Genevieve’s instant response was consoling and en- 
couraging. 

“ Why, Margaret,” she said, “ I honestly think you 
are in great luck. He is a fine fellow, and positively 
the most resourceful I’ve ever met. And no doubt 
your mother’s illness accounts for her aversion to him. 
It is true that his religious teaching has been sadly 
neglected,” she went on, and a low laugh burst from 
her as she thought of the amusing incident of the pic- 
tures, “ but I feel confident that he will soon remedy 
this.” 


REVELATIONS 


5i 


Margaret herself was forced to join in the laughter 
of her friend — Van Deever’s mistake had seemed 
so ludicrous. 

“ If I were you I’d set my cap for him,” said Gen- 
evieve, roguishly. “ You have the opportunity — he 
is already head over heels in love with you. If some- 
thing doesn’t happen within the next few months, I 
fear that the petals of those roses of his will wither 
in vain.” 

“ His roses ! ” gasped Margaret now, in surprise. 
“ How in the world — ” 

Genevieve made no reply. With a nod of superior 
wisdom, she went to the telephone in the corner of the 
room, and calling up Meyer & Son, inquired whether 
Webster Van Deever had yet paid for the roses de- 
livered to Miss Margaret Redmond, in the Equitable 
Building, the previous morning. She then held the 
receiver to Margaret’s ears. 

“ Not yet,” came back the answer ; “ we only mailed 
the bill to his office to-day.” 

“ Thank you,” said Genevieve, coolly, who had also 
heard the reply. “ There, now ! ” she exclaimed. 
“ Am I not a good detective ? ” 

And then the girls sat down to the dinner-table and 
laughed so heartily and so long that Mrs. Redmond 
felt a little relief. Margaret could not laugh like that 
if there were even a suspicion of trouble. 

“ Instead of a detective, you’re turning fortune-tel- 
ler,” laughed Margaret, wiping the tears of mirth 
from her eyes. “ And now, Genevieve, will you 
really be able to stay with us until mother gets bet- 


5 ^ 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


ter ? I need you more than ever since my work prom- 
ises to take up so much of my time.” 

“ Gladly,” said Genevieve, “ if you will promise to 
bring Mr. Van Deever here with you just as often as 
you decently can. Mother will have no objection to 
my remaining — she has four other daughters and five 
big sons to worry her. I just went to the store over 
the holidays, so I’ll gladly stay with you for a while 
and take care of your mother, while you prove your- 
self a good breadwinner, and also provide entertain- 
ment for me. And by the way,” looking at her watch, 
“ it is nearly one o’clock. You had better hurry back 
to the office, or you may have to return some of the 
advance salary you received. I’ll call up the folks at 
home and tell them I mean to remain here on my er- 
rand of mercy.” 

When Margaret tiptoed in and kissed her mother a 
few seconds later, Mrs. Redmond had dozed off, but 
when Genevieve entered with her broth soon after 
she had roused again, and turned to the good-hearted 
girl with some emotion. 

“ O, Genevieve, I am so anxious ! ” she said. “ The 
very name of that man makes me shudder ! I fear for 
my Margaret, who will be with him constantly.” 

Genevieve attributed this language to fancy. 

“Why, that’s nonsense, Mrs. Redmond,” she said, 
endeavoring to soothe her. “ He strikes me as being 
pretty honorable, and besides Margaret is clever and 
well able to take care of herself.” 

“ My dear girl, the Van Deevers have the cunning 


REVELATIONS 


53 

of the serpent with the apparent simplicity of the 
dove.” 

“ He isn’t a Catholic,” said the girl, in a less assured 
tone, “ but he is well-disposed, for he borrowed the 
family Bible.” 

“ O, Genevieve, you do not know how anxious I 
am,” persisted Mrs. Redmond. The thought of a 
Van Deever reading the Scriptures did not appease 
her. 

“ But you have no grounds for your anxiety ! ” said 
Genevieve. “ Instead, you should thank God that 
Margaret has been so fortunate.” 

“ I will tell you why I am anxious,” said the mother, 
in a pained tone, “ if you will promise to help Mar- 
garet when you can, and in the meantime, while she 
is employed by these people, keep the matter from 
her.” 

“ I will indeed,” said Genevieve, heartily. “ I love 
Margaret as if she were my own sister and I would do 
anything in the world for her.” 

“ It is only natural for a mother to love and fear 
for her dear child,” said Mrs. Redmond, “ especially 
her only one. She is the only one I ever had, Gen- 
evieve, and was sent to Philip and me after twelve 
long years of fervent prayer that God would bless us 
with children. I consecrated her to the Sacred Heart, 
and called her after Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque. 
I have tried so hard to keep her from even the sus- 
picion of harm, and while her father lived it was easy. 
You do not know the cause of his financial ruin. He 


54 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


was very successful until the terrible panic. Even 
then he would have weathered the storm, as he often 
told me, had he not borrowed a sum of money from 
Homer Van Deever of New York, through a certain 
Mr. Jenkins, his local agent. Those unscrupulous men 
foreclosed on him in a critical moment, leaving him 
and his family almost paupers, and took complete pos- 
session of the business which he had created after long 
years of patient toil. The blow that killed Philip Red- 
mond established the firm of Van Deever & Co. in 
Chicago. You see now, that Margaret, my poor dar- 
ling, has her head in the lion’s mouth.” 

Genevieve was deeply moved by this. She sat si- 
lently beside Mrs. Redmond, patting her hand in sym- 
pathy, while the tears of sorrow for the past and dread 
for the future wet the poor woman’s pillow. 


CHAPTER VII 


andy’s explanation 

TNSTEAD of spending his evenings at the club, the 
theater, or other places of amusement, it was re- 
marked by his friends that Webster Van Deever had 
become very fond of the home on Jackson Boulevard 
since his recent trip to the coast. Some attributed 
this change of daily habits to the press of business, 
which seemed to absorb all of his attention, while oth- 
ers, who thought they understood him better, wrongly 
suspected that he did not find society congenial in the 
metropolis of the West. Even Andy, seeing the 
change in his master’s habits, had begun to fear that 
there was something wrong. In his solicitude he 
would linger at the door every evening after receiving 
his orders for the next day, until he was reassured by 
some genial remark that all was still well. 

As he entered his master’s apartments one evening 
later than usual, he found Van Deever absorbed in a 
large volume that lay on the table. 

“ I’ll give you a five dollar note, Andy,” said the 
young man, looking up with a pleasant smile, “ if you 
can guess what I am reading.” 

“ And how can I guess what a smart man like you 
would be reading?” asked Andy, brightening at the 
challenge. “ You know more books by heart than I 
55 


56 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


know by name. Would it be asking too much if you 
could tell me what it’s about ? ” 

“O Andy, you’re a schemer!” said Van Deever, 
with a twinkle in his eye. “ But,” he added, after a 
moment’s hesitation, “ I think I am pretty safe in 
saying that it treats of religion.” 

“ When I was a boy,” said Andy, “ there was But- 
ler’s Catechism, the Sincere Christian, and the Bible 
— those were the books in every Catholic home. Of 
course many religious and more irreligious books have 
been printed since then, but I’m sure you’re too hon- 
est and good-hearted to be going into one of the lat- 
ter. I will, therefore, try to win that five dollar note 
by saying you’re reading the Bible.” And as Andy 
finished he beamed at the young man triumphantly. 

“ Caught ! ” said Webster Van Deever, as he slipped 
his hand into his pocket, and gave the old man a green- 
back, evidently as well-pleased by Andy’s remarks as 
by the fact that he was caught studying religion. 

“ Thank you, Mr. Van Deever,” said Andy, bowing 
politely as he pocketed the money. “If you had cred- 
ited yourself with some of the goodness others ob- 
serve in you maybe you’d be five dollars richer this 
minute ! ” And then both servant and master joined 
in a hearty laugh. 

“ All right, Andy. But now you just sit down 
there. I want to ask you a few questions.” 

“ With pleasure,” said Andy, nothing loth indeed, 
taking the seat the young man indicated. 

“ Now, what do you think the Bible contains? ” 

“ The holy word of God,” said Andy, with decision. 


ANDY’S EXPLANATION 


57 

“ But, Andy,” said Van Deever, “ how can God, 
who is a spirit, speak in human words ? ” 

“ Words stand for ideas,” explained Andy, “ and 
surely God has these in abundance. Why wouldn’t 
He make them known to us ? ” 

“ Yes, Andy — but He hasn’t a tongue to speak 
words, nor hands to write them,” said Van Deever, 
“ so how can He impart them to us ? ” 

“ Many a time I’ve puzzled over that,” said Andy, 
“ but it was never clear to me until Father Morrin 
himself explained it. ‘ He who made us can put His 
own ideas directly into our minds. If He prefers He 
can cause His words to be perceived by human ears 
or recorded the same as He did the condemnation of 
Baltassar on the wall of his palace.’ ” 

Webster Van Deever had been meditating seriously 
on religious matters. He longed for light, though his 
ideas of the nature and economy of God’s works were 
still very hazy. But now that Andy made the first 
of his difficulties so clear he placed others before him. 

“ And is every idea God communicated to man in 
the Bible?” he asked. 

“ Oh, no ! ” said Andy. “ There’s the private mes- 
sage, and the public message of God. The first God 
still communicates to His children; the public closed 
with the Apocalypse of St. John.” 

“ And then I’m to suppose that all His public mes- 
sage is in this book?” asked Van Deever, laying his 
hand on the volume before him. 

“ Not even that,” explained Andy. “ Much of that 
comes down to us by tradition.” 


58 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“Tradition! Mere hearsay!” cried Van Deever, 
in surprise. 

“ The belief and teaching of succeeding ages,” ex- 
plained Andy. And as Van Deever looked incred- 
ulous he went on. “ Adam wasn’t a young man when 
he died. He lived to see his children to the eighth 
generation, and often held Lamech, the father of Noe, 
on his knee. The same was true of Noe, who saw his 
children to the ninth generation, and died only when 
Abraham brought the sacred traditions with him to 
Palestine. Under such circumstances the word of God 
was easily preserved from corruption.” 

“ That is true,” said Van Deever, thoughtfully, 
“ but we have another difficulty — how did God, later 
on, inspire His prophets to record His word? ” 

“ That was explained in the last Lenten course by 
Father Morrin,” said Andy. “If He found the idea 
already in the minds He seized upon it; or, if it was 
not there, He put it first into the mind of the writer, 
and then moved him to record His message faithfully, 
even suggesting the words that were necessary to con- 
vey His meaning. Much the same, said Father Mor- 
rin, as a mother might do with her little one, who 
would write a letter to its absent father. She first 
tells the little one to write, and then, from time to time, 
what to write, and after a little, the very words to 
write that will express the idea she wishes to convey.” 

“ Father Morrin must be a clever man,” said Van 
Deever. “ That is a good way to put it. And yet 
how can we have, to-day, any certainty that the Bible 
is the pure word of God? That it has not been cor- 


ANDY’S EXPLANATION 


59 


rupted by the ignorance and malice of man? That it 
has not even been changed by copyists and trans- 
lators ? ” 

“ The Jewish priesthood and the olden prophets 
watched over the word of God with great jealousy,” 
replied Andy. “ In the New Law the Saviour made 
His Church an infallible teacher in matters of faith 
and morals, by delegating her to act in His name, and 
by giving her the unerring guidance of the Holy 
Ghost.” 

“ That’s a nice theory, Andy,” protested Van Dee- 
ver, “ but you know there are hundreds of churches 
in the world to-day.” 

“ You are right,” admitted Andy. “ There is one 
divine original, as plain to be seen as a city built on a 
mountain, and there are hundreds of human counter- 
feits.” 

“ And how can I tell the one from the hundreds ? ” 

“ By the trademark, which has been patented in 
heaven,” said Andy, quaintly. “ The true Church is 
one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic. She is the same 
the world over in faith and in practice, raising up all 
of good will to the dignity of children of God. She 
can prove to any jury in the land that she, and she 
alone, came down from the days of Christ and holds 
fast to all the teachings of the Apostles. Since the 
days of St. Peter she has had the power of miracles, 
and she has, so far, fulfilled the prophecy of her divine 
Founder that the gates of hell will never prevail 
against her. Because of her divine nature and com- 
mission, St. Paul exhorted the faithful of his day, to 


6o 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


* beware of imitations,’ and he actually damned the 
innovators for corrupting the faith of Christ.” 

Andy had warmed to the subject which he loved 
with all his heart; he spoke with so much fervor and 
conviction that he made a great impression on Van 
Deever. This opened a new vista of thought to him, 
indicating the way to truth so clearly that he could not 
but feel contempt for the godless system in which he 
had been educated. 

“ I must admit,” he reflected, “ that this poor man, 
with no advantage in the world, is better informed 
than I with all my wealth and training.” 

“ You mustn’t be surprised at my ignorance of re- 
ligious matters,” he said, with great humility. 
“ These things were never discussed, Andy, either at 
the University or at home. I feel like the treasurer 
of the queen of the Ethiopians, of whom I was read- 
ing when you came in. And you have acted the part 
of Philip to me.” 

“ Oh, you poor orphan ! ” exclaimed Andy, with 
deep feeling, while a tear stole down his withered 
cheek. 

“ There are two things I can’t see through,” said 
Van Deever. “ Miracles are evidently impossible — 
and I can’t see how I share in the sin of Adam, who 
lived and died so many years ago.” 

“ Father Morrin could surely explain those,” said 
Andy, hesitatingly. “ But I’ve heard that this uni- 
verse is like a clock, which the Creator has wound up 
till the day of doom. Now, as a clockmaker can in- 
terfere with the work he has made, so God, for the 


ANDY’S EXPLANATION 


61 


benefit of religion, may, and does at times, suspend 
the laws of nature — thereby placing His seal, as it 
were, on His divine work.” 

“ That isn’t a bad explanation,” remarked Van 
Deever, “ but it is pretty generally admitted to-day 
that the age of miracles is past.” 

“ Not by people that have eyes to see and ears to 
hear,” said Andy, with decision. “ Have you never 
heard of the miracles at Lourdes and other favored 
places, that even infidel doctors acknowledge and ac- 
cept?” 

“ I took it all for rank fanaticism,” said Webster 
Van Deever. 

“ With Adam,” pursued Andy, after a few minutes 
of silence, “ it was as with the head of any family. 
By dissipation and neglect of business, even a million- 
aire may make himself and his family paupers. So 
Adam gambled away the prerogatives of a child of 
God to please Mother Eve. As a result of his dissi- 
pation, we come into the world spiritual paupers — 
though with sin we gained the privilege of wearing 
clothes. And this privilege costs some of us a good 
deal,” concluded Andy, laughingly. 

“ So you believe that mankind did not wear clothes 
before sin came into the world? ” 

“ Exactly,” said Andy, rising to depart. “ God 
created Adam and Eve in original justice and holiness, 
placing them in the paradise of pleasure. After they 
had eaten of the forbidden fruit, they discovered that 
they were naked, and proceeded to clothe themselves.” 
said Andy, and concluding his remarks with another 
genial laugh he left the room. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE OFFICE 

TT is indeed marvelous to contemplate the influence 
of woman over her surroundings. This was es- 
pecially true at the Van Deever office, where, of the 
entire staff of fifteen persons, only the stenographer 
was a woman. Miss Long had gone West in a spirit 
of adventure, though partially in the hope of eventu- 
ally marrying Mr. Jenkins. She had accompanied this 
trusted agent of Homer Van Deever to Chicago, and 
had held the position of stenographer since the reor- 
ganization of the Redmond office. She was a tall girl, 
of the blonde type, about twenty-five years old, whose 
chief anxiety was not to appear a day older than she 
could help. As a child, Miss Long had been allowed 
to grow up as she pleased. Her whole moral training, 
if such it could be called, consisted in listening to the 
general principles of right and wrong — inculcated 
periodically by a worldly-minded mother, who inva- 
riably taught her child more by word than example — 
and in assisting annually at some Sunday-school from 
Thanksgiving until Christmas. 

Miss Long had never been baptized and had never 
received even the most rudimentary instruction in pos- 
itive religion, her parents maintaining, so wise were 
they in their ignorance and conceit, that in a matter of 
62 


THE OFFICE 


63 


such importance as being liberated from the domin- 
ion of Satan, and acquiring title to a mansion in 
heaven, their child must be permitted to choose for 
herself ! So Miss Long, grown to young womanhood, 
never learned the necessity and the utility of prayer 
— and had no aspiration beyond this fleeting life. 
Her parents obtained a divorce while she was quite 
young and later on, when both married again, she 
found no welcome in either home. She earned her 
own way for a time, and finally through the influence 
of a friend secured a position in the New York office 
of the Van Deever firm. 

The principles that actuated this young lady in her 
daily conduct were as simple in their philosophy as 
they were complex in their modes of application. 
They were two in number — the first, for every-day 
use, was of a decidedly positive nature. The other, 
to which she had recourse only in an emergency, was 
merely negative. Both may be briefly formulated as 
follows : 

1. Get all the good you can out of life, with the 
least amount of exertion. 

2. Do not get caught in any dishonorable action. 

These principles Miss Long applied with an energy 

that was worthy of a nobler cause. She looked to her 
ease, comfort, and pleasure first, by living and dress- 
ing as the latest fashions and fads suggested, wearing 
always an abundance of such personal adornments as 
would attract the attention of men. It was her daily 
task to ingratiate herself into Mr. Jenkins’ favor, es- 
pecially when he was in charge of the office, and when 


6 4 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


young Mr. Van Deever took the helm, she showed 
him the same marked deference. In return Mr. Jen- 
kins made her his confidant in many affairs of minor 
importance, and frequently availed himself of her 
services to spy on his subordinates. To her chagrin, 
Mr. Webster Van Deever despised her. He certainly 
seemed to treat her with as much coldness and reserve 
as he was, to his great alarm, soon to observe in the 
conduct of Miss Redmond toward himself. 

At first Miss Long sought to reap daily tribute by 
making the men in the office her admirers, and indeed 
managed to enjoy candy, flowers, and theater tickets 
at their expense for a short while. But when they 
learned of her secret collusions with Mr. Jenkins, they 
soon extended to her the same distant formality with 
which they invariably treated their detested superior. 

Miss Long retaliated bravely, showing her spite by 
many petty annoyances, which often strained business 
decorum to such extremes that it took all the re- 
straining influence of Mr. Jenkins’ somber visage to 
prevent an outbreak. Apparently for no other reason 
than that they had not yet arrived at man’s estate, 
Miss Long treated the two office boys with positive 
aversion, and tantalized them in many ways in the dis- 
charge of their routine duties. They despised her, 
and annoyed her in every possible manner, and by 
them Miss Long was referred to disrespectfully as 
“ the yellow cat.” 

Under these circumstances the appearance of Mar- 
garet Redmond at the Van Deever office was like sun- 
shine after a storm. From the beginning Margaret 


THE OFFICE 


65 


resolved to establish a reputation for pleasantness, re- 
serve, and strict attention to business. She easily sus- 
tained her reputation as a clever worker, and also as 
a loving child of God — which was of infinitely more 
value in her eyes. For the first, Webster Van Deever 
paid her well; but for the latter she laid up treasures 
in the kingdom of heaven. 

Devoting herself to her task with that resolute en- 
ergy and concentration which distinguished all her ac- 
tions, she dispatched more work in her quiet way than 
two ordinary clerks, and soon brought order into Miss 
Long’s department. Her influence, besides, was stim- 
ulating, elevating, and refining. The clerks were ac- 
customed to work only because they were paid for 
their work, and they were inclined to avail themselves 
of the temporary absence of the officials in charge to 
idle away their time. Miss Redmond, on the con- 
trary, seemed to take a positive pleasure in her duties, 
and at no time showed any inclination to shirk them. 
She was gracious, kind and attentive, yet still so mod- 
est and so reserved that she not only commanded re- 
spect but even won the regard of those with whom 
she came in contact. 

“ She is a wonder,” said Bartholomew, the secre- 
tary, one day. 

“A gold mine!” admitted Jenkins. 

If Margaret’s personality exercised such an influ- 
ence on the clerks, Webster Van Deever fancied him- 
self rapt to the third heaven whenever he approached 
her. Her voice was sweetest music, her glance an in- 
spiration, her very presence intoxicating. From an 


66 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


imperious, irascible young despot, Van Deever was 
gradually transformed into an amiable “ head,” who 
was soon idolized by the very subordinates who for- 
merly had gambled on the number of times he would 
lose his temper during office hours. 

“ What’s come over the boss? ” asked the youngest 
office-boy one day. 

“ Where’s your eyes ? Can’t you see he’s sweet on 
the new stenographer ? ” was the other’s reply, show- 
ing that even the most insignificant among them had 
begun to appreciate the state of affairs. 

If Van Deever was inclined to show some thought 
and consideration toward the least of his clerks, he 
felt that he could never show his appreciation of Mar- 
garet Redmond. He took the greatest pleasure in an- 
swering all her questions, instead of referring her to 
Mr. Bartholomew, the secretary. Twice a day he 
’phoned to Miss Harty, inquiring for Mrs. Redmond, 
and regularly ordered fresh flowers for the sick-room. 
Often at noon he intercepted the girl and begged her 
to allow him to take her home in his machine ; and on 
several occasions he called for her on the way back. 
On these occasions he availed himself of the oppor- 
tunity to exchange a few pleasant words with Gen- 
evieve, in the hope of furthering his cause, and always 
had kind wishes to be communicated to Mrs. Redmond. 
Without being presumptive, Van Deever did every- 
thing in his power to break through the reserve in 
which Margaret Redmond hid herself. But Mar- 
garet steadfastly and politely refused all favors. 
Though she might have enjoyed the relaxation, she in- 


THE OFFICE 


6 7 

variably declined Van Deever’s urgent requests to ac- 
company him to the theater, the opera, and other 
places of amusement. Now she pleaded urgent home 
work, now fatigue, again her mother’s illness. A less 
prudent girl might have considered it opportunity lost 
to refuse so many respectful overtures. Many young 
girls have accepted favors of this sort to their ever- 
lasting sorrow. Margaret knew little of the actual 
wickedness of the world, but she was always true to 
her God, her Church, and her better self. Soon it was 
remarked that Margaret Redmond had a mind of her 
own, and opinions of her own, that she was modest 
and prudent, gentle, sweet-tempered, and firm, and 
above all true to principle. 

An example of this was shown one morning when 
Miss Redmond entered the office a little later than 
usual. A slight titter went around, when, on taking 
off her hat, they caught a glimpse of her forehead. 
There, startlingly prominent because of the clear and 
sanitary whiteness of her skin, was a blotch of soot 
or ashes. 

Van Deever was anxious to spare her mortification, 
and yet he did not like to speak of the blemish out- 
right. He gazed at her fixedly several times, and 
when he saw he had attracted her attention, he rubbed 
his own forehead vigorously. 

Margaret smiled, and her blue eyes danced merrily, 
as she said, aloud: 

“ I know all about it, Mr. Van Deever. Those are 
the blessed ashes I received at church this morning.” 

Van Deever stared at her in bewilderment, and 


68 


MARGARET'S INFLUENCE 


there was a moment of silence in the office that served 
as a general question. 

“ Why, this is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 
the holy season of Lent,” said Margaret. “ The day 
on which we Catholics receive these ashes to remind 
us that we are dust and unto dust we must return.” 

“What a beautiful ceremony I” stammered Van 
Deever. He looked at her an instant longer some- 
what blankly, and then turned on his heel and went 
into his private office. 

“ I say, Bartholomew, these Catholics are a strange 
people!” said Jenkins, sneeringly. 

“ No doubt about it, no doubt about it ! ” assented 
the secretary, nodding. 


CHAPTER IX 


A SECOND RESOLVE 

T J AN DEEVER seated himself at his desk, and 
* was soon lost in deep thought. 

“ How could she say a thing of that sort?” he 
asked himself, impatiently. A few months before he 
would have scorned the idea that any sane woman 
of twenty-two, accomplished and lovely, could possibly 
take any pleasure in the thought that she was “ dust, 
and unto dust must needs return ! ” 

Yet Margaret Redmond was quite sane, indeed; un- 
questionably lovely, unquestionably talented — and she 
could look with complacency on the fact that her 
pretty, rounded form, her smiling red lips, her dimpled 
hands, her smooth cheeks, her large blue eyes would 
one day molder into dust! Was it not dreadful thus 
to stand in contemplation beside one’s own grave, as 
it were, in spirit to observe the process of one’s own 
corruption? Van Deever shuddered in horror. 

Is not youth filled with the love of life, the desire 
of admiration, the anticipation of many years of hap- 
piness to come ? Is not youth the harvest-time of joy ? 

Yet here was Margaret, young and happy, perfectly 
indifferent to the views of ordinary mortals, reflecting 
calmly, almost fondly, on the dreadful truth that one 
day she must die and bid farewell to this glorious 
69 • 


70 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


world, and all the things she held most dear! The 
other young girls he had met would grow pale and 
sicken at the very suggestion of their death. Yet she 
could truthfully repeat the words which he had heard 
without comprehending : “ O Grave, where is thy 

victory ? O Death, where is thy sting ? ” How could 
she do it? And solemnly came the answer from his 
own awakened inner consciousness: 

“ She does not fear death because she is a child of 
God.” And then came Andy’s definition : “ She 

does not fear death because she appreciates the good- 
ness of God, and seeks to please Him in all things. 
As long as she is with God and God with her, she 
can afford to be indifferent to material and temporal 
things.” 

And then he sighed as he contemplated the dreary 
prospect of ever being able permanently to enter her 
life. 

“ Now I understand,” he mused, “ the reason of her 
reserve toward me. I was prepared to take up Chris- 
tianity as a philosophical study. I did not realize un- 
til now that Christianity means a radical change in my 
life, my thoughts, my whole outlook ! 4 This is a hard 

doctrine — who can bear it?’ No wonder the dis- 
ciples at Capharnaum said those words. I feel as 
they did.” 

Webster Van Deever was worldly, and Christ says 
the world has nothing in common with Him. He 
was proud of his wealth, and Christ says it is difficult 
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. He 
was ambitious, and Christ demands that he seek the 


A SECOND RESOLVE 


7i 


glory of God in all things. He was self-willed, and 
Christ declares that the test of a true child of God 
lies in the keeping of His commandments. 

What commandments? Weary of this constant 
self-communing, Webster Van Deever felt that he 
hardly cared to know. He valued his liberty too 
highly to see it limited — even by the Almighty. 
“ And still,” as a sudden solemn thought struck home : 
“ one can not live forever. One must enter eternity. 
An eternity of heaven or of hell. There is no alterna- 
tive — and out of hell there is no redemption.” 

All that he had discovered of the teachings of the 
Catholic Church so far seemed reasonable, and Mar- 
garet’s daily life furnished an ever-present example 
that her faith was credible, her religion divine. It 
made her a living, loving child of God. 

He then went over his past conduct toward the girl 
and his present standing with her. Thus far he had 
sympathized with her in her difficulties. She had 
shown herself deeply grateful. He had flattered her. 
She had seemed indifferent to all compliments. He 
had invited her repeatedly to accompany him to vari- 
ous places of amusement, and she had invariably de- 
clined, as she also declined, gratefully, but firmly, any 
gift he sought to bestow on her. She had never re- 
pulsed him. She had not shown that she disliked him 
in any way — in fact, he imagined she did like him 
considerably, but he could not break through the wall 
of reserve which stood between them. What was he 
to do ? Renounce the hope of winning her ? A thou- 
sand times no ! His whole nature rebelled at the very 


72 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


idea. He was not worthy of her if he made no sacri- 
fices for her. Life was not worth living without her. 
“ After all,” he thought, “ religion has its compensa- 
tions, even though it demands sacrifice. To be a will- 
ing child of God in this life means eternal happiness 
in the next, and perhaps the happiness of Margaret’s 
companionship here below.” 

His heart leaped with happy anticipation. 

“ Yes,” he resolved firmly, “ I will follow where she 
leads. It’s not a bad way. She will not accompany 
me to the theater, but I shall accompany her to 
church.” 

So, thinking she might extend the invitation to 
him, Webster Van Deever found a pretext for escort- 
ing Margaret Redmond home that evening. As they 
went he questioned her about the services, and asked' 
whether she intended to go later on. Whether Mar- 
garet failed to divine his purpose or intentionally ig- 
nored it, there is no telling. At any rate Webster 
Van Deever went home disappointed. But he was 
not to be easily turned aside. His mind was now 
made up, and so he resolved to hear Father Morrin 
preach that night — the priest of whom Andy had 
told him so much. 

After dinner the young man summoned his old 
servant, and looking at him in a quizzical way, asked 
gently : 

“ Were you at church this morning, Andy?” 

This question caused Andy no little surprise. 

“ Why, yes, sir,” he said. “ I go every morning, 


A SECOND RESOLVE 


73 

and I pray the rosary that our blessed Lady may keep 
you from all harm.” 

“ Thank you, Andy. But who is this Lady who 
will keep me from all harm? ” 

“ The blessed mother of God,” answered Andy. 

“Ah, Andy! The mother of‘ God! Some time 
ago you told me that God is a spirit infinitely perfect, 
who has existed for all eternity.” 

“ I did,” said Andy, with ardor. “ But the Son of 
God assumed human nature of the Blessed Virgin 
Mary, and died upon the cross to save us from sin 
and hell.” 

“ There is, then, God eternal — the mother of God 
— God the Son — the heavenly Father — the Virgin 
Mary — the Holy Ghost!” Van Deever smiled. 
“ Are there more in the heavenly family, Andy? ” 

“ Oh, my, but it’s hard to put sense into a learned 
head ! ” said Andy. “ God is one in nature, but three 
in person, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. After Adam 
brought sin into the world and forfeited the privileges 
of a child of God, the Son of God became man to lead 
us back again to the dignity of children of God. 
Didn’t you read all that in the Bible? Perhaps you’d 
better take my Catechism; it contains the truth with- 
out the trimmings.” 

“ Maybe I read it, but I certainly didn’t understand 
it,” said Van Deever. “ Even now I can’t under- 
stand how the Son of God became a creature.” 

“ He added a perfect human nature to His divine 
nature without ceasing to be God — and in that hu- 


74 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


man nature He did penance for our sins, and became 
our Mediator with the heavenly Father. You would 
not cease to be a human being if you were to grow 
wings, and thus have the additional nature of a bird.” 

“ I see,” said Van Deever. “ But why don’t you 
pray directly to God ? ” 

“ I can remember you quite distinctly as a little lad, 
Mr. Webster, clinging to your mother’s skirts and 
asking her to explain to your father when you were 
particularly anxious to get something. That’s why 
we go to the Mother of Jesus and ask her to present 
our petition to Him, and add the weight of her own 
influence to it.” 

“ But don’t you think, Andy, that’s making too 
much of the Mother and thereby slighting the Al- 
mighty ? ” 

“ No, sir, I don’t. The Almighty didn’t seem to 
think so when He made Mary so perfect that she was 
fit to become the Mother of the Son. If you had the 
making of your own mother wouldn’t you want her to 
be beautiful of soul and body? And Jesus had the 
advantage over us of creating His own Mother. 
Should we wonder that He made her according to His 
mind’s ideal and His heart’s most cherished affec- 
tion? ” 

“ That is but natural, Andy.” 

“ ‘ Our tainted nature’s solitary boast,’ Father Mor- 
rin says one of the poets calls her. You wouldn’t 
grow hurt or slighted or jealous if others thought well 
of your mother? You’d be proud. So we think that 
all honor bestowed on Mary is glory given to her Son. 


A SECOND RESOLVE 


75 


God became man through Mary, and if man wants to 
go to God, says Father Morrin, he must be led by the 
hand of this spiritual mother.” 

“ That explains matters to me,” said Van Deever, 
heartily. “ But, by the way, Andy, what kind of a 
man is Father Morrin? ” 

“Father Morrin?” Andy smiled fondly. “Why, 
he’s a laughing little man, with curly gray hair and a 
shabby, green suit of clothes. He gives to every beg- 
gar he meets and borrows more to pay poor people’s 
rent. On account of this extravagance he often 
hasn’t a shirt to his back, and his trim little sister, 
who keeps house for him, is hard put to it to stretch 
five cents the length of a dollar bill to get him some- 
thing to eat. I don’t think he’s what they call an ora- 
tor, but he instructs and interests. He has a good 
head, ripe experience, and a sympathetic heart.” 

“ I would like to see and hear that man, Andy,” 
said Van Deever. “Will you promise not to speak 
of it to any one if I go to church with you this even- 
ing?” 

For a moment Andy O’Regan could not conceal the 
joy that filled his honest old heart. 

“ Glory be to God, that I have lived to see this 
day ! ” he exclaimed with fervor. “ My prayer is 
heard, for if you go to hear Father Morrin once, you 
will certainly go again. Thanks be to Thee, O 
Lord!” 


CHAPTER X 


ASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 

/^\ N their way to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 
Andy endeavored to instruct his master as best 
he could in the requirements of Catholic etiquette. 

“ When some children of the world enter the house 
of God,” he said, “ they are about as much at home as 
an Indian in a parlor. They will perch on a seat like 
an owl on the limb of a tree, and not even bend the 
knee in the presence of their Lord and Master. Now 
I know, Mr. Van Deever, you wouldn’t want to annoy 
any one — you’re too much of a gentleman for that. 

“ On entering the church dip the tips of the fingers 
of your right hand in the holy water, which is kept 
in a font near the door, and sprinkle yourself with 
it. Then follow me up the aisle to my pew, where 
you can hear the sermon. When we get to the pew, 
and before going into it, we will genuflect — that is, 
touch the floor with the right knee, just as you do 
sometimes when you go through your calisthenic ex- 
ercises. You then go into the pew, and kneel on 
both knees for a few moments, keeping your hands 
folded. After that do just as you see the people in 
front of you doing.” 

“ Thank you, Andy. I’ll do as you tell me,” said 
Van Deever. 

76 


ASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 


77 


The church was crowded and services had already 
begun when Andy ushered his master into the pew. 
After the recitation of the Rosary, and the singing of 
the Veni Creator , Father Morrin ascended the pulpit, 
signed himself with the sign of the cross, and spoke as 
follows : 

“ My dearly beloved children. 

“ We live in an age where the flesh, the world, and 
the devil have conspired to dethrone the Almighty, 
and to exalt man’s sensual nature in His stead. To 
attain this end the fountains of truth are corrupted, 
the facts of history perverted, and the questionable 
pleasures of this fleeting life are lauded as the object 
and legitimate end of all human ambition. The 
lodges of secret societies have foisted a godless educa- 
tion on the nation, dispensed its inhabitants from the 
Ten Commandments, and decreed that the Almighty 
does not exist, or, if He still survives, that He has no 
claim for which He can seek redress in any court of 
the land. 

“ Living in the very midst of a wicked world, you 
see its maxims applauded in the daily papers, pro- 
claimed from sensational pulpits, and applied in the 
private lives of your neighbors, in the public schools 
and universities, and even in the sacred halls of justice. 
Alas! there are even members of the true fold, dead 
branches on the tree of life, on whom the holy waters 
of baptism seem scarcely to have made a momentary 
impression. They are proud as Lucifer, sensual as 
Dives, and avaricious as Judas Iscariot. But, thanks 
be to God ! the abomination of desolation has not yet 


78 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


entered the holy place. The time has therefore not 
yet arrived when we must fly to the mountains to hide 
ourselves from the wrath to come. The earth is still 
full of God’s mercy. For the Lord does not wish the 
death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted 
and live. 

“ Let us, therefore, not merely take heed lest we 
fall, but let us, during this holy season of Lent, enter 
into ourselves, chastise our bodies and bring them 
into subjection, discover the follies and wickedness of 
the world by meditating on the eternal truths, gird on 
the armor of God, take up the shield of faith, and 
fortify ourselves with the two-edged sword of prayer, 
that we may extinguish all the fiery darts of the 
wicked one. 

“We are composed of body and soul. If we live 
according to the flesh, says St. Paul, we are carnal, 
but if we are led by the Spirit and by the Spirit mor- 
tify the deeds of the flesh, we are the children of God 
indeed. 

" The carnal man shirks the primary obligations of 
this transitory life, which are to labor and to suffer, 
courageously to bear the heats and the burdens of 
the day. He lives an animal life, and makes sensual 
gratifications the object of his existence. His mind is 
polluted and his heart corrupt. We need not wonder, 
then, that he surrounds himself with all the con- 
veniences of ease, of comfort, and even of luxury; 
that he gratifies his eyes and ears at the theater and 
the opera, his stomach by wining and dining, and his 
basest instincts at promiscuous dances and in the vil- 


ASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 


79 


est dens of dissipation. After the carnal man has 
once begun to worship at the shrine of self-love, he 
will readily lie and steal and even murder in order 
to gratify his selfish nature. 

“ When creating man God implanted in his nature 
a longing for the infinite, which He alone can fill. 
He, the eternal Truth, alone can satisfy the human 
mind. He, the Infinite Good, alone can fill the hu- 
man heart. He alone, the reward exceeding great, 
can grant eternal rest at the end of our earthly pil- 
grimage. Heaven and earth will pass away, He said, 
but My word will not pass away. The carnal man 
is doomed to disappointment in time and in eternity. 
He tries to fill an infinite want by an indefinite gratifi- 
cation of the finite ; and so his evil habits grow 
stronger and his wicked propensities increase, but his 
craving is never satisfied. The drunkard imagines his 
heaven to be a boundless ocean of intoxicants; but he 
is never satisfied, for he can not consume it. The 
miser pictures his heaven as a mountain of gold; but 
he is never content, for his purse is too small to con- 
tain it. The libertine’s heaven is an endless indul- 
gence in lustful pleasures; but he is soon brought to 
an early grava by the venom its transitory enjoyment 
conceals. 

“ In the next world the carnal man must reap what 
he has sown. Lucifer, for one inordinate desire, was 
cast into the pool of fire and brimstone, where he is 
consumed with remorse and yet not destroyed, where 
he must suffer an infinite torture. O what will be 
the lot of the carnal man when he rushes into that 


8o 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


place of destruction! All his inordinate desires will 
then testify against him. By his misspent life he has 
condemned himself to suffer an infinite torture, but, 
as he can not suffer a pain that is infinite in intensity, 
the fire that dieth not will torture him during an in- 
finite or eternal duration. 

“ And who is the slave of the world but this same 
carnal man, glossed over with the refinement of con- 
ventional etiquette, which makes him, in the language 
of the Saviour, a hypocrite and a whitewashed sepul- 
cher? The slave of the world is contemptuously ig- 
norant of the sacred convictions and undying princi- 
ples that flow from the eternal truths. He is a 
stranger to the generous, self-sacrificing motives of a 
child of God. His idea of perfect happiness is, after 
wallowing in the mire of carnal pleasure, to scale the 
heights of social and political influence, till he has 
reached the pinnacle of earthly ambition, and then to 
gorge himself with vain honors and ephemeral power. 
He is obsequious to the great, false to his equals, and 
tyrannical toward his inferiors. He is a moral cow- 
ard, the slave of human respect, and an object of 
scorn to the vilest imps of perdition. Because he has 
thrown away the liberty of a child of God, they will 
confine him in the lowest prison of hell. There, as 
the Saviour says, there will be weeping and gnashing 
of teeth, like that of maniacs in a madhouse ! When 
too late to repent, the slave of the world will there re- 
gret that he has squandered and dissipated or gam- 
bled away his birthright to the kingdom of heaven ! 

“ This child of perdition is also the slave of Satan. 


ASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 


81 


He is doubly so when he does the work of the devil, 
by imbuing others with his spirit and leading them by 
word and example to eternal destruction. The slaves 
of Satan have broken their baptismal vows and cruci- 
fied their Redeemer anew! They have renounced 
Jesus Christ and all His works and graces, and sworn 
allegiance to the prince of darkness! But the time 
will come when He, who died for their salvation, will 
say to them, 'Verily, I know you not! Because you 
have denied Me before men I deny you before My 
Father who is in heaven! Be gone from Me, ye ac- 
cursed, into everlasting fire ! which was prepared from 
the beginning of the world, for the devil and his an- 
gels ! ' And how will the imps of hell gloat over 
them! as they mock and scorn, and taunt them with 
their folly forever and forever! 

“ Ah, my children, let us hearken to the pleading of 
the Saviour at the beginning of this holy season! 
‘ Why, do you flee from Me/ He asks, ‘ for I have 
made you to My own image and likeness? I have 
destined you for the infinite joys of heaven! I have 
loved you with an everlasting love, and I have proven 
My love for you by a death of ignominy and shame! 
My child, give Me thy heart! Do not run after the 
fleeting pleasures of life: they are vain and will soon 
end. Lay up treasures in heaven, where neither the 
rust nor the moth doth consume, where thieves do not 
break through and steal. Do not give your life to 
Satan! He hates you because you are the image of 
God, and because you are destined to wear the crown 

the devil has forfeited by his rebellion. But I love 
6 


82 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


you and desire to sanctify you, and My compassionate 
Heart yearns to receive a token of appreciation from 
you! Do penance, then. Take up your daily cross 
and follow Me. Walk on the narrow way that leads 
to life eternal, and I will be your reward exceeding 
great. Begin this moment. This is the acceptable 
time, this is the time of salvation ! ’ 

“ Oh, my children, if we live with the Saviour in 
the wilderness of this world, and fortify ourselves 
with prayer, fasting, and almsdeeds, we shall triumph 
over all our enemies! We may then confidently look 
forward to the fulfilment of those promises wherein 
the Saviour says: 

“ 4 Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. 

“ ‘ Blessed are the meek : for they shall possess the 
land. 

“ ‘ Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be 
comforted. 

“ ‘ Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after 
justice : for they shall have their fill. 

“ ‘ Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain 
mercy. 

“ ‘ Blessed are the clean of heart : for they shall see 
God. 

“ ‘ Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be 
called the children of God. 

“ ‘ Blessed are they that suffer persecution for jus- 
tice’s sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ 

“ When John the Baptist prepared the way of the 


ASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 


83 


Lord, he baptized those in the waters of the Jordan 
that had seriously resolved to change their lives. 
When the prophet Jonas preached repentance to the 
inhabitants of Ninive, the people did penance in sack- 
cloth and ashes. So I call on all to-night that earnestly 
desire to become the true children of God, to receive 
the blessed ashes at the conclusion of the service, as 
a profession of true repentance. Without the conver- 
sion of the heart the reception of the blessed ashes 
would be an idle ceremony, if not a mockery and a 
sacrilege. Let those, therefore, who will not break 
with their evil habits, stay away from the railing, lest 
God strike them dead as He did Ananias and Sa- 
phira. 

“ May the blessing of the Almighty God, Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain 
with you forever. Amen.” 

Words cannot describe the feeling of awe and rev- 
erence that thrilled the heart of Webster Van Deever 
during the evening services. The sermon impressed 
him deeply; the touching beauty of the Benediction, 
and the recollected demeanor of the faithful about him 
stirred him profoundly. The words of Father Mor- 
rin moved him to the prayer of Bartimeus, the blind 
beggar. “ Lord, that I may see ! ” And when, at the 
conclusion of the devotions, the faithful crowded to 
the communion railing, to be signed with the ashes of 
penance, he wished, with all his heart, that Margaret 
Redmond knelt beside him. How gladly would he 
receive upon his forehead that which he had thought 


8 4 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


a blemish on hers — the impression of the sacred sym- 
bol! Yet what right had he, a stranger and an alien, 
to participate in so holy a ceremony ! 

Father Morrin was just signing the last of the 
faithful when he observed a well-dressed young man 
approach the railing rather timidly. As the venerable 
priest signed his forehead with the sign of the cross 
and murmured over him the solemn words reminding 
him of his last end: “ Remember, man, that thou art 
dust and unto dust thou must return,” Van Deever 
thrust a slip of paper into his hands. 

“ Please accept this, Father ! ” he whispered, plead- 
ingly. “ It will buy you a new suit of clothes ! ” 

And before the astonished priest could make a reply, 
the stranger had disappeared in the crowd. 


CHAPTER XI 


THE LENTEN SEASON 

'IXT’HEN Webster Van Deever left the church he 
" ^ bore a blotch of ashes on his forehead. Were 
Margaret Redmond at his side he would have cared 
little if the whole world had noticed it. But with poor 
Andy for his only companion his courage failed him 
as he gained the street, so he pulled his hat well down 
over his eyes, and walked along in silence. He did 
not speak until he had re-entered his home. 

“ I am glad I went with you this evening, Andy — * 
it was an experience I am not likely to forget. Good- 
night.” 

Aside from the consciousness that he had drawn 
nearer to the girl of his heart by participation in the 
Ash Wednesday services, Van Deever could make no 
further progress. He spent the remainder of the week 
in the usual daily monotonous routine. In the mean- 
time, however, he had formed his plans for another at- 
tempt to secure from Margaret an invitation to ac- 
company her to church. 

Immediately after the noon hour on Sunday, there- 
fore, he inquired by telephone if she would be at home 
that afternoon, and begged leave to call. On being 
assured that she would be glad to see him, he resolved 
to return the family Bible. This would serve as a 
85 


86 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


pretext for conversation, in the course of which he 
hoped to lead up to the subject near his heart. It was 
true he had not finished all he would like to read, but, 
as Andy had shown him, the catechism was less con- 
fusing at the beginning of his religious studies. 
Moreover, he had taken but one step in the new way, 
and though he had really liked the services at the 
Church of the Good Shepherd, he was still inclined 
to go anywhere or nowhere, just as Margaret might 
influence him. 

It was quite early when Van Deever stepped from 
his automobile in front of the Redmond residence, 
carrying the borrowed book with him. After being 
greeted cordially by Margaret and Genevieve, and in- 
quiring after the health of Mrs. Redmond, he turned 
to Margaret, and said : 

“ Since you told me the other day that this is the 
season of Lent, Miss Redmond, I thought you might 
want to make use of your Bible. I thank you for let- 
ting me have it — I did not know when I borrowed it 
that it was a family heirloom.” 

“ Oh, it is ! And a precious one,” said Margaret, as 
she took the volume tenderly in her hands and put it 
back in its place on the center table. “ We have had 
it for the last hundred and fifty years. Our people 
were of the old Maryland settlers, and this is the only 
keepsake that has come down to us from them.” She 
paused, with charming hesitation. “ I would not take 
it from you only for that — but I have another, a 
smaller one, which I should be glad — ” 

“ I could not accept a gift from you which did not 


THE LENTEN SEASON 


87 


include the donor,” said Van Deever, daringly, with 
a twinkle in his eye that caused Genevieve to smile and 
Margaret to blush vividly. “ Besides,” he continued, 
“ I have told Andy to get me a Bible as near like 
that one of yours as he can. It will always remind 
me of my first visit to you, and I shall be able to peruse 
it at my leisure.” 

The visitor was thoroughly at his ease by this time, 
and so were the two girls, Margaret having regained 
her self-possession immediately, a little vexed at her- 
self that she had lost it. During a lull in the conver- 
sation Van Deever remarked: 

“ I would like to have you both come for a ride 
in my new car. The weather is just nice for a spin 
through the park. Won’t you come with me, 
please ? ” 

Margaret looked a little embarrassed. 

“ I would not like to leave my mother alone the 
rest of the afternoon and this evening, too,” she said. 
“If possible, I want to go to the Lenten services later 
on, and she might feel neglected. But,” with a smile, 
“ Genevieve has been in constant attendance here for 
six weeks now, and she must not miss a chance of this 
sort. She was saying that she had to go home some 
time this afternoon — perhaps you could go over to 
her house with her ? ” 

Van Deever did not take kindly to this arrangement, 
and wished he had not spoken. He would be deprived 
of Margaret’s companionship the whole afternoon — 
still he could not object, and expressed his delight at 
being able to convey Miss Harty wherever she cared 


88 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


to go. Then Margaret, with a flash of her white teeth 
and the gleam of a dimple, repaid him for his sacri- 
fice. 

“If you return about five I shall give you both an 
early dinner, after which, if you survive, Mr. Van 
Deever, I will allow you to accompany Genevieve and 
myself to church.” 

His face beamed with pleasure. 

“ I was wondering how I could ask your permission 
to go with you,” he began, but Margaret lifted her 
hand, laughingly. 

“ You must thank Genevieve. The cards were dis- 
tributed last Sunday — here, by the way, is one of 
them — and our pastor urged us to bring some honest 
inquirer to the sermons. Genevieve insists you are 
that, so we’ll be glad to have you with us.” 

Van Deever was very much delighted. He ex- 
pressed his gratitude to Miss Harty for her kindness 
in remembering him, as he glanced over the card. 
This informed him that the Lenten sermons at St. 
Timothy’s Church would be preached by the pastor, 
the Rev. Francis Ormsby Dinneen, D.D., on the fol- 
lowing subjects: 

Sunday, March 12, The Nature and Necessity of 
Religion. 

Sunday, March 19, The True Religion as Ordained 
by God. 

Sunday, March 26, Divine Faith the Teacher of the 
True Religion. 


THE LENTEN SEASON 89 

Sunday, April 2, An Honest Mind and the Gift of 
Faith. 

Sunday, April 9, The Practical Good Will of a 
Child of God. 

Sunday, April 16, Prayer, the Great Means of Ob- 
taining and Preserving the Gift of Faith. 

Holy Thursday, God’s Greatest Gift to Man. 

Good Friday, The Suffering of Jesus the Price of 
our Faith. 

Easter Morning, The Resurrection of Christ the 
Foundation of our Faith. 

Webster Van Deever read the card through several 
times. 

“ They look as if they might be very interesting,” 
he said; then, as he put the piece of pasteboard in his 
pocket, “ and I want to go with you, not only this 
evening, but every single evening.” 

In the meantime Genevieve had slipped on her coat 
and hat and now came back into the room, with a mis- 
chievous smile on her face. 

“ It is horrid of me to disturb you,” she said. “ But 
if we do not start, Mr. Van Deever, poor Margaret 
will never be able to get that dinner ready.” 

“ Good by, Miss Margaret,” said Van Deever, 
stifling a sigh. “ Tender my respects to your mother 
when she awakes.” 

“ Thank you, I will,” said the girl, and stood nod- 
ding and smiling at the two from the window as they 
got into the machine. As soon as they were comforta- 


90 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


bly seated, and the car started, Genevieve, whom our 
readers know by this time to be curious as well as 
roguish, turned to Van Deever with a gleam of mer- 
riment in her eyes. 

“ Now, tell me — have you ever in all your life met 
a sweeter girl than Margaret Redmond ? ” 

“ Never!” replied Van Deever, with such fervor 
that Genevieve laughed outright. “ And you are just 
as nice in your own way,” he added, with such direct- 
ness that Genevieve was taken by surprise. 

“ Well, we’re not much alike,” she answered, 
“ though we are the dearest and best of friends. I 
never cared much for books, and I hate to be caged 
up, but Margaret — well, Margaret would be a nun 
to-day if it weren’t for her mother! ” 

“ A nun ! ” cried Van Deever — and then when Gen- 
evieve explained what being a nun meant, he grew 
quite pale. 

“ That would be a positive crime ! ” he exclaimed. 
“ To immure a girl, who can do so much good in the 
world, in a convent ! ” 

He was disturbed and angry. He pulled his hat 
down over his eyes and for the next few moments de- 
voted himself exclusively to the running of the car. 
Genevieve, smiling gleefully, for she had made the re- 
mark solely to discover the state of the young man’s 
feelings, leaned back on the cushions, quite satisfied 
with results, and it must be confessed, rather enjoying 
his apparent misery. 

During the rest of the drive he said nothing, 
and not until Genevieve came out of her own home 


THE LENTEN SEASON 


9i 


did he voice the thoughts that were in his mind. 

“ How does your Church regard the marriage of 
one of her members with an outsider? ” he began, sud- 
denly, as they left the Harty residence. 

“ Much the same as you would regard an invest- 
ment without security,” replied Genevieve. 

“ I don’t quite understand,” he said. 

“ Would you ever think of investing your entire 
fortune, for an indefinite period, without any security, 
Mr. Van Deever? ” asked Genevieve, innocently. 

“ I certainly would not. That would be contrary 
to all rules of business, the height of folly.” 

“ That’s just the light in which Catholics view 
mixed marriages,” said Genevieve. 

“ I understand the comparison,” said Van Deever, 
“ but I can’t apply it.” 

“ Well,” said Genevieve, slowly, “ in a business ven- 
ture, there are three things — the principle, the inter- 
est, and various collateral advantages.” Van Deever 
nodded. “ It’s just the same in matrimony. The 
principle is the life investment of body and soul in the 
married state. The interest is the love, fidelity, and 
devotion which every married person hopes to reap 
from the union. The collateral advantages are 
accidental, and mostly of a social and commercial 
value.” 

“ Miss Harty, you ought to be a professor of social 
economy in the University!” cried Van Deever. 
“ And yet, if you will pardon my dullness, I don’t see 
how the marriage of which I spoke would be an in- 
vestment without security.” 


92 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Do you want me to lecture you ex cathedra f * 

“ Pray do!” 

“ Well ! ” proceeded Genevieve, as she called an im- 
aginary audience to order by tapping on the floor 
of the car with her umbrella, “ in a mixed marriage 
the principle is jeopardized and often sacrificed by the 
evil of divorce, which hangs like a thunderbolt over 
every non-Catholic home, and often descends and shat- 
ters that home on the least provocation. It is said, 
I believe with authority, that here in Chicago there 
are over sixty-five thousand divorced and deserted 
women.” 

“ I am emphatically opposed to divorce,” said Van 
Deever. 

“ In theory, I suppose,” said Genevieve, “ but you 
know how many men and women of your social stand- 
ing are figuring daily in divorce scandals! And I 
dare say that even the best of us, without the restrain- 
ing influence of the Catholic faith, might consider it a 
convenient way of ending unhappiness. Unless one is 
enlightened by faith, and strengthened by the grace of 
God, one can hardly expect to be loyal in love, per- 
severing in sacrifice, and faithful to duty when the day 
of adversity dawns. And even though the principle is 
not sacrificed by divorce, every Catholic entering a 
mixed marriage must expect to discount the interest, 
or relinquish her claim to it altogether.” 

“ You surprise me, Miss Harty,” said Van Deever, 
slowly. 

“ Most of our so-called liberal non-Catholics have 
discarded the Ten Commandments,” said the girl, with 


THE LENTEN SEASON 


93 


unexpected seriousness. “ And what will teach them 
fidelity? Physical beauty fades, and the enchantment 
of earlier years is dispelled by the sober reality of later 
life. Natural love soon cools, and the woman of forty 
finds herself supplanted by a younger and more attrac- 
tive rival.” 

“ I am afraid you are right,” agreed Webster Van 
Deever. 

“ I know I am,” was the girl’s response. 

“ But supposing the non-Catholic party is faithful? ” 

“ Even then, how can there be a real union — since 
the one is a child of God and the other a mere human 
being? How can they be in sympathy if they don’t 
honor God in the same way ? It was mixed marriages 
that led, in the time of Noe, to loss of faith — and loss 
of faith to the Deluge, and the Deluge meant the ex- 
tinction of the greater part of the human race. The 
Catholic party sacrifices religion either entirely or in 
part. In this way she or he loses far more than you 
would forfeit by sacrificing the interest on an invest- 
ment.” 

“ But a Catholic understands all this,” said Van Dee- 
ver. 

“ Imagine it ! Imagine the lack of faith, the risk, 
the very presumption of a Catholic who would expect 
God’s blessing on such a union, when she knows very 
well that His representative on earth, the Church, will 
not give her its blessing.” 

“ And what about the non-Catholic in this case ? 
What should he do ? ” 

“ I think he ought to investigate the claims of the 


94 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


Church, if he is honest, and I am sure an impartial 
study will lead every honest inquirer of good-will to 
embrace the true religion for its own sake. On the 
other hand, if he is too careless to make any inquiries 
about her religion or to follow up the light vouch- 
safed him, he will certainly be too careless to make 
greater sacrifices for the girl’s sake later on.” 

“ You are right, and I thank you,” said Van Deever, 
earnestly. “ I am very ignorant of all religious mat- 
ters. You see it is only by asking questions that I 
can hope for enlightenment.” 

After taking Genevieve a little further, he turned 
back toward Margaret’s in good time for the excellent 
meal which the girl had in readiness. Later on he 
accompanied them to church, and listened with rapt 
attention to Dr. Dinneen’s sermon. He was full of 
the subject when he returned home that night. 

“ Andy,” he said, calling his faithful servant, “ I 
was to church this evening with some friends, and the 
priest spoke about the nature and necessity of religion. 
I am anxious to read more about this. Where can 
I get some books ? ” 

“ I have a whole trunkful,” was Andy’s prompt 
reply. 

“You?” exclaimed Van Deever. 

“ I have nearly every doctrinal and controversial 
book on the market, and a standing order with one 
of our big Catholic firms to send me anything of the 
kind as soon as it’s printed.” 

“ You take my breath away,” said Van Deever. 


THE LENTEN SEASON 


95 

“ And in all these years you’ve never mentioned re- 
ligion once to me ! ” 

“ There’s a reason for that, too,” said Andy. 
“ When I entered your father’s service twenty-six 
years ago, he was afraid I might try to make a 
Catholic of your mother, who is a naturally religious 
woman, God bless her ! So he made me promise that, 
unless I were asked, I would never say a word about 
my faith to any member of his family.” 

“ You’ve certainly kept your promise,” said the 
young man. 

“ It was hard sometimes,” said Andy. “ Still, I 
could not help hoping that the master would relent, or 
question me by mistake. He never did, though I was 
always ready for him. I prayed for the chance day 
after day, but he never asked a single question. Lately 
I’ve been practicing on that slow-blooded Swede that 
works for the gentleman across the street. But now 
excuse me a minute, and I will see what I can find to 
interest you.” 

Presently Andy returned with books piled high on 
one arm. He deposited these on a chair, and pro- 
ceeded to explain them. 

“ Here’s one by the Abbe Segur,” he said. “ I like 
it because it is clear, and because it is written by a 
saint. This is ‘ Catholic Belief.’ It’s a grand book, 
and is edited by Father Lambert, the priest who made 
Ingersoll famous. Here’s the ‘ Question Box ’ — it’s 
a mine of information. Here’s ‘ Spiritual Pepper and 
Salt ’ — that’s spicy enough, I’m sure. Here’s another, 


96 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


4 Clearing the Way,’ and this is ‘ The Faith of Our 
Fathers ’ by our own Cardinal Gibbons — he wrote it 
a good many years ago. And this is about the latest, 
‘ A Theology for the Laity,’ which gives the reason 
and authority of religion and clears up your doubts 
besides. I know them nearly all by heart, for I read 
them every night — I’ve used their arguments many a 
time.” 

“ You’re certainly a wonder, Andy,” said Van Dee- 
ver, with genuine admiration. “ I never dreamed I 
was harboring such a genius. Now I want to go into 
this matter thoroughly, and will need your assistance 
and your prayers. I’ll gladly give you the opportunity 
you’ve been looking for all these years, so I’m going 
to ask you to spare me an hour every evening that I 
do not go to church.” 


CHAPTER XII 


A SERIOUS TEMPTATION 

lyTARGARET REDMOND had frequently dis- 
cussed the dispositions of Webster Van Deever 
with her friend before she finally yielded to Genevieve 
and permitted him to accompany them to the Lenten 
services. 

“ Your mother has evidently conceived an aversion 
for any one that bears the Van Deever name,” said 
Genevieve to her on Shrove Tuesday, “ on account of 
some unscrupulous business transactions in which the 
elder Van Deever took part while Webster was still 
in the University. It seems to me that the son should 
not be condemned for the sins of his father. If he is 
as honest and sincere as he appears to be, the Lenten 
course will do him good, and we will have an oppor- 
tunity of putting his sincerity to the test without com- 
promising you in any way.” 

But the young man was mounting high in Gen- 
evieve's esteem and gradually winning his way to Mar- 
garet’s heart. The very first evening he surprised 
them not a little by taking holy water and genuflecting 
both on entering and leaving the sacred edifice, and 
after a few visits he seemed as familiar with Catholic 
practice as even the best-instructed of the faithful. 
Gradually, too, the conviction grew upon Margaret 
7 97 


98 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


that Genevieve was right after all — and that Webster 
Van Deever had been in love with her from the begin- 
ning. In fact, it taxed all her ingenuity to keep him 
from openly declaring his affection and devotion. 

The anxiety about her mother, and the strain of her 
daily occupation, kept Margaret a long time from real- 
izing that she was actually drifting into the whirlpool 
of a mixed marriage, or, at best, a marriage with a 
doubtful convert. The Good Friday sermon in partic- 
ular caused her such qualms of conscience that she re- 
solved to call on her director the following day and 
put the whole matter before him. 

Accordingly she went in to see her pastor the next 
morning after services. 

“ You remember me, Father? I am Margaret Red- 
mond.” 

“ Yes, my child, I remember you.” 

“ Well, Father, I’ve come in to have a little chat with 
you on a serious subject. I’ve been thinking of get- 
ting married.” 

“ Oh,” he said, “ is that so ? I think you mentioned 
several times to me that you felt called to the Re- 
ligious State.” 

“ Yes — I did feel that way, but — ” 

“ Don’t be rash, my child. God calls many to sanc- 
tify themselves in the world, but He leads His chosen 
ones to the convent. Whatever your vocation may be, 
your devout life has prepared you well for it. Take 
your time. God will show you the state He has des- 
tined for you.” 

“ But, Father, that feeling of which I spoke, that 


A SERIOUS TEMPTATION 


99 

possible call to the Religious State has changed of 
late,” said Margaret. 

“ And to what do you attribute the change? Solely 
to a chance acquaintance ? ” he asked. “ Or have you 
relaxed in your devotions or your generosity toward 
God?” 

“ Perhaps you can best judge of that after I have 
told you all the circumstances of the past four months,” 
said Margaret. She then proceeded to outline her 
acquaintanceship with Webster Van Deever from the 
time of the Charity Ball to the present hour. She 
mentioned her financial embarrassment, the help he 
had rendered her, and the excellent qualities and dis- 
positions of her suitor. 

Father Dinneen heard her patiently to the end. His 
face was troubled when she concluded. 

“ I am afraid there is a little delusion here,” he 
said. “ You are living in the proximate occasion of 
a mixed marriage.” 

“ But he really seems to want to be a Catholic, 
Father. He has accompanied me to church every Sun- 
day evening during Lent.” 

“ He evidently respects and esteems you,” said the 
pastor, after a moment’s reflection. “ Still, he may 
have accompanied you to church because you were too 
prudent to accompany him to the theater or dances 
or places more congenial to him.” 

“ It is true, Father, that I have invariably refused 
to accept a single one of his many invitations, and I 
only consented to invite him to church in the hope 
of making a Catholic of him,” confessed Margaret, 


IOO 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


sincerely. “ But during this time he has grown into 
my affections so strongly that I honestly fear I could 
not give him up.” 

“ Be careful, my dear child!” said the pastor. 
“ God loves His children too much to destine them for 
a mixed marriage. Human nature is inclined to re- 
gard as providential not only what is agreeable to its 
taste, but also the circumstances of its own contriving, 
of which it tries to shirk the responsibility. Know- 
ing you as I do,” he continued, gently, “ I am posi- 
tive that the circumstances here are not of your de- 
signing. But you know how our short-sighted ambi- 
tion and the infirmity of our nature aid the evil one, 
who strives to frustrate God’s intentions.” 

Margaret listened with anxiety and perturbation. 

“ As a precaution let me put before you what we 
may call the onesidedness of a mixed marriage. For 
the Catholic the sacred bonds of matrimony are dis- 
solved only by death — for the non-Catholic any di- 
vorce court suffices. The Catholic swears fidelity in 
mind, heart, and daily life — the non-Catholic often 
has no conception of such obligations. The Catholic 
pledges her own soul for the salvation of the family 
— the non-Catholic often denies the soul’s existence, 
the existence of God, or of the hereafter. So that 
the Catholic ideal of marriage is absolutely impossible 
without unity of mind and heart on the subject of 
religion.” 

“ But, Father, this man acts toward me with the 
greatest courtesy. He is a true gentleman — ” 

Father Dinneen smiled. 


A SERIOUS TEMPTATION ioi 

“A true gentleman is a saint of God. And this 
man, who, a few months ago, denied the very ex- 
istence of God, is a saint? Tell me, child, what might 
you be to-day if you had been reared as a mere mortal? 
As a human animal? without fear or love of God and 
His holy law? without any thought of the hereafter or 
hope of heaven? without the aid of prayer and the 
help of the Sacraments? surrounded by evil influences 
and with the germ of evil born in you? But you have 
had a thoroughly Catholic education and have enjoyed 
the influence of a Catholic home. Since your First 
Communion you have purified your conscience regu- 
larly in the Sacrament of Penance and strengthened 
yourself in grace by receiving the Giver of all grace. 
Your frequent confessions have sustained you in the 
spirit of humility and penance as well as in the desire 
of perfection. You are entirely too generous in cred- 
iting others with the same results without the elevat- 
ing influence of the confessional and the sustaining 
influence of Holy Communion. As mere human be- 
ings mankind is the same the world over. To me 
the man or woman of the world, in the common ac- 
ceptance of that term, the man or woman who pursues 
folly as the god of life, seems like a whited sepulcher.” 

“ But the Church grants dispensations to marriages 
with men and women who are not Catholics,” said 
Margaret, and there were tears in her eyes. 

“ You may force the Church to grant you a dis- 
pensation — and others have done so,” said Father 
Dinneen. “ But it will be no passport to heaven. 
Mixed marriages are unnatural for the children of 


102 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


God, usually leading to loss of faith and thence to 
perdition. The Church tolerates what she can not 
prevent.” 

“ Are there no reasons that would justify me in 
asking for such a dispensation?” persisted Margaret. 

“ Two honorable reasons justify a woman in 
asking such a dispensation without committing sin,” 
explained Father Dinneen. “ The one is advanced 
age, the other extreme poverty. The reasons usually 
advanced are, as a rule, in that category which St. 
Paul tells us ought not to be so much as mentioned 
among Christians. If it were not for mixed mar- 
riages and kindred evils we might have three times 
as large a Catholic population as we now have in the 
United States. Tell me, Margaret — what does your 
mother think of this young man? ” 

“ Mother has an intense aversion for him on ac- 
count of a prejudice against his father,” returned the 
girl. As she spoke, the first impression Van Deever 
had made on her mother came before her mind, caus- 
ing her deep distress. “ Father, I don’t know what 
to do!” 

“At least don’t sell your soul for a wealthy hus- 
band,” returned Father Dinneen. Then, after a mo- 
ment’s silence, he continued : “ My child, have you 

ever had cause to regret following my advice in the 
past?” 

“Never!” said Margaret, with all sincerity. 

“ Then promise me to do, for six months longer, 
what I consider to be your Christian duty? ” 


A SERIOUS TEMPTATION 


103 


“ With all my heart and gladly, I promise that,” 
said Margaret. 

“ Well, then,” said Father Dinneen. “ Remember 
the promise God made to those who keep the Fourth 
Commandment. Secondly, meditate on these words 
of the Holy Ghost ‘ He that loves the danger shall 
perish in it/ This proximate occasion of a marriage 
forbidden to Catholics has been necessary for the past 
three months. Perhaps you can make it a remote 
occasion by giving up your position. Thirdly, re- 
double your prayers and your vigilance that you may 
not be deceived by self-love, for this is the critical 
period of your life. Lastly, I think the time has ar- 
rived when you should put the sincerity of this young 
man to the test. It is easy for him to be devoted to 
you when things go smoothly, but in time of ad- 
versity the heart of man is tried like gold in the 
furnace. Pray that God may soon give you the oc- 
casion of such an infallible test. I will pray for this 
every day during holy Mass. If this young man is a 
sincere inquirer and becomes a Catholic after you 
have refused to associate with him — if he does not 
put the thought of you out of his mind even when he 
is away from you, we may safely say that he is sin- 
cere — and may be intended by God to become your 
partner in life. Make this test in a spirit of faith and 
out of obedience. God will not be outdone in gen- 
erosity.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


NICODEMUS 

/ T“ S HE storm that usually follows the vernal equinox 
-■* swept down upon Chicago in all its fury on 
Easter Monday. The leaden clouds that had gathered 
over the city on Good Friday, as if to mourn their 
Maker’s death, increased instead of dispersing at the 
joyous peal of the Alleluia on Easter day. All day 
Sunday, the storm, like a frightful monster held in 
leash, threatened to break and wreak vengeance on a 
Christain people who had irritated it by their elab- 
orate celebration of the joyous Resurrection festival. 
A fierce gale from the northeast finally set the ele- 
ments at liberty. They broke forth in fury and 
deluged the streets of the city, shattering signboards, 
snapping telephone wires, uprooting trees, and 
spreading devastation everywhere. 

A fierce wind was driving the rain in torrents 
against the parlor window of the little parochial resi- 
dence adjoining the Church of the Good Shepherd, 
when the shrill peal of the bell suddenly announced 
a visitor. Father Morrin paused long enough in the 
recitation of his Office to say to his sister : “ Will 

you see who is at the door?” and then hastened to 
finish Compline before the visitor could be announced. 

“ It’s a terrible night for a sick-call,” remarked 
104 


NICODEMUS 


105 


his sister in a worried tone, “ and I don’t see what 
else could bring any one out in such weather as this.” 

When she opened the door a well-dressed young 
man stepped into the hallway, umbrella in hand, and 
dripping with rain. He inquired rather shyly if he 
might see Father Morrin. 

“ Yes,” said Miss Morrin, scrutinizing him closely, 
and then adding, somewhat nervously, “ Is it a sick- 
call?” 

“ Oh, no ! ” replied the visitor. “ I merely want 
to speak to him.” 

When Father Morrin entered his office a few mo- 
ments later and greeted the young man he instantly 
recognized him. 

“ Well, I declare ! ” he said heartily, grasping both 
hands of the visitor warmly in his own. “ I am very 
happy to meet you again, and to have the opportunity 
of thanking you for your generous donation. I ap- 
preciated it the more because it was entirely unex- 
pected. But I’ve been rather curious to find out your 
name.” 

“ I’d like to keep my name as well as this visit a 
secret, Father,” returned Webster Van Deever, seat- 
ing himself at Father Morrin’s invitation. “ And by 
the way,” with an odd glance, “ have you used the 
donation as suggested ? ” 

This question embarrassed Father Morrin greatly, 
and he hemmed and hawed a little over the answer. 

“ Well . . . no . . . There was . . . 
You see, Mrs. Barry . . . she’s a widow — she 
was sick and the children were in actual want, hon- 


io6 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


estly. And then Dolan — he hurt himself . . . 

and his wife borrowed twenty-five dollars. But I’m 
going to buy that suit of clothes out of my next sal- 
ary.” 

Van Deever smiled, and slipped a tightly- folded 
slip of green paper into the good priest’s hand. 

“ Don’t wait, Father. You’ll find enough here to 
do that.” The more he saw of this fine man, the 
more Van Deever admired the self-sacrificing spirit 
which Andy had described so graphically. He was 
determined that he should at least possess a good suit 
of clothes. 

More surprised and mystified than ever, Father 
Morrin drew a small rosary from his pocket. 

“ At least accept this in honor of Our Lady, as a 
slight token of my appreciation.” 

“ I will gladly do that, Father,” said Van Deever, 
sincerely, as he accepted the rosary and carefully 
slipped it into his pocket. He looked at the priest, 
then, very earnestly. 

“ Father. I want you to do me a great favor. I 
want to become a child of God.” 

“A what? Why? How? Aren’t you a Cath- 
olic?” stammered Father Morrin, in surprise. 

“ No,” confessed Webster Van Deever. “ I was 
nothing until a few months ago, when a charming 
Catholic young lady gave me what I considered an 
insult, and, in fact, fairly scorched me with her con- 
tempt.” He then went on to relate his experience 
and what had happened since. 

“ You’ve discovered the valiant woman lauded in 


NICODEMUS 


107 


the Proverbs,” said Father Morrin, chuckling with de- 
light. “You know it was a sudden shaking up that 
brought the faith to St. Paul.” Then, with a serious 
mien, he looked into the tall young man’s face ear- 
nestly. “ Tell me, my dear sir, do you want to be 
converted to God, or to this girl ? ” 

“Now, Father!” cried Van Deever. “I came to 
you because I heard your serious sermon on Ash 
Wednesday, and you’re making game of me!” 

“ Well,” said Father Morrin, after both ceased 
laughing, “ I have no patience with those prodigal 
sons who want to be converted to our pure Catholic 
girls! And it’s an odd thing that these holy inno- 
cents are often proud of their conquests, and confi- 
dently expect to make saints of them later on! You 
are a stranger to me,” said Father Morrin, with a 
keen and scrutinizing glance, “ but I am glad to see 
that you do not belong to this class of degenerates.” 

“ I’m thankful for the compliment — and I wish I 
could say the young lady was proud of me, Father,” 
declared Van Deever, ruefully. “ She treats me as 
one might treat a rattlesnake that has never had its 
fangs extracted.” 

“ A prudent woman as well as a valiant one ! ” 
smiled Father Morrin. “ That child of God evidently 
does not want to be classified among the foolish vir- 
gins. But let me ask you Mr. — , yes, let me ask you, 
sir, what do you know about religion in general and 
Catholic faith and practice in particular?” 

“ I flatter myself that I am quite well-informed by 
this time,” said Van Deever. “I started out three 


io8 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


months ago by reading the Bible, but, strange to say, 
although I am a University graduate, there were few 
things that were perfectly clear to me. After a while 
a servant gave me a catechism, and later on this young 
lady invited me to attend a course of Lenten sermons 
delivered in her church. In the meantime I learned 
the prayers and carefully read several controversial 
and doctrinal books.” 

“ Well, now, I congratulate you ! ” said Father 
Morrin. “ But one thing more — are you firmly re- 
solved to become a Catholic, even should this young 
lady die or go to a convent ? ” 

“If certain difficulties can be cleared up — yes,” 
said Van Deever. “ I am resolved to join the Church 
because I feel that it will be my duty to God. But 
why do you suggest that this young lady may go to 
a convent? I am determined to do all in my power 
to prevent that.” 

“ It was merely a suggestion,” laughed Father Mor- 
rin. “ I suppose you would not stoop to physical 
violence or other undue influence to prevent such a 
step on her part ? ” 

“ Oh, no ! ” said Van Deever, “ but I must confess 
that this world would be a pretty dreary place for me 
without her.” 

“ You have my entire sympathy,” said Father Mor- 
rin, in a gentle tone ; “ and I shall pray that things 
may go well with you.” 

Van Deever was much moved at the kindness of the 
good priest, and expressed his gratitude. He then 
went on to say that one of the doctrines which was 


NICODEMUS 


109 

particularly repugnant to him was the teaching and 
practice of confession. 

“ There are two causes which inspire this repug- 
nance,” said Father Morrin. 44 The one is ignorance 
or a misconception regarding the confessional, the 
other is a vicious and corrupt heart. Have you ever 
read what Cardinal Manning says on the second cause 
in his 4 The Love of Jesus to Penitents ’? ” 

44 I have never seen the book,” said Webster Van 
Deever. 

44 Then I can’t explain things better than by reading 
you an extract from it,” said the priest, gravely: 

44 4 The Sacrament of Penance is loved by Cath- 
olics, and hated by the world. Like the Pillar, which 
of old guided the people of God, to us it is all light, 
to the world it is all darkness. There are two things 
of which the world would fain rid itself — of the Day 
of Judgment and of the Sacrament of Penance: of the 
former, because it is searching and inevitable; of the 
latter, because it is the anticipation and the witness 
of the judgment to come. For this reason there is 
no evil that the world will not say of the confessional. 
It would dethrone the eternal Judge if it could, there- 
fore it spurns the judge who sits in the tribunal of 
penance, because he is within the reach of its heel. 
And not only the world without the Church, but also 
the world within its unity, the impure, the false, the 
proud, the lukewarm, the worldly Catholic, and in a 
word, all who are impenitent, both fear and shrink 
from the shadow of the Great White Throne which 
falls on them from the Sacrament of Penance. But 


no 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


to all who are penitent, in whatsoever degree and of 
whatsoever character, it is an object of love.’ 

“ I’m sure this is not the cause of your repugnance. 
It must, therefore, be that you have not considered 
this doctrine from the standpoint of Almighty God. 
Every one with ordinary intelligence admits that God, 
the Lord and Master, has promulgated His holy law, 
promising the reward of heaven for its observance 
and threatening the punishment of hell for its viola- 
tion. By holy Baptism — you have learned what 
Baptism means to the soul? ” 

“ Yes, Father, I understand that.” 

“ Well, then. Baptism makes one a child of God, 
but as he is not confirmed in grace he falls at times 
into sin instead of advancing step by step toward per- 
fection. Now, if God were to condemn man to hell 
as He condemned the angels, He would treat the sin- 
ner according to His justice. But, as He does not 
wish the death of the sinner, God offers man pardon 
and reconciliation. If God were to insist on the 
most rigorous penance it would be a trifle for the sin- 
ner who is resolved to escape the torments of hell 
and secure the happiness of heaven. On his part 
the repentant sinner desires not only forgiveness of 
his sins, but also the certainty of pardon. This cer- 
tainty calms his fears about the past, gives him peace 
in the present, and encourages him to strive manfully 
to repair his waywardness and secure the reward of 
heaven. Now, in the Sacrament of Penance God 
makes the most liberal offer of pardon to the sinner, 
and at the same time grants to the repentant soul di- 


NICODEMUS 


hi 


vine assurance of pardon. Is that doctrine not rea- 
sonable? most consoling? overflowing, in fact, with 
the infinite mercy and compassionate love of God?” 

“ That is true, Father,” admitted Van Deever, “ yet 
it is humiliating.” 

“ Granted, but think of the greater shame and con- 
fusion of confessing on the Day of Judgment! If 
we repent and confess our sins here, we know that 
they will be washed away in the blood of the Saviour, 
so that they will not testify against us even on the day 
of reckoning,” said Father Morrin. 

“ That places the confessional in a different light,” 
candidly admitted Van Deever, “ and removes my ob- 
jection to it. Yes, under such conditions I will gladly 
confess even my most hidden sins.” 

“ But I have more to say on the confessional,” con- 
tinued Father Morrin. u We have considered it 
merely in its actual effects. It is really a preserva- 
tive of virtue and the guide of souls. If God does 
so much for a sinner, what will He do for the one 
who strives to become a saint? If the confessional 
gives spiritual life, it certainly is able to foster and 
perfect this life in the soul. It is only by submitting 
to the guidance of God’s representative that we are 
saved from the delusions of pride and self-love, and 
are stimulated in a healthy moral growth. Take the 
girl who has won your heart, for example. I don’t 
know her from the rest of the daughters of Eve, but 
I do know a little of human nature and the influence 
of grace. What is really the secret of your esteem 
and devotion for her?” 


1 12 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ I have often asked myself that question,” said 
Van Deever. 

“ I’ll answer it,” said Father Morrin, earnestly. 
“ The secret of your attraction for her is the confes * 
sional. The confessional has elevated her, preserved 
her innocence and purity, spiritualized her entire be- 
ing, by making her a living child of God. Others 
might do much to please you and share your good 
fortune — but only one type of woman would have 
this girl’s moral courage.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


A FAMILY QUARREL 

\Af EBSTER VAN DEEVER walked home with 
* * a buoyant step on Easter Monday night. The 
very fact of having had so long and so interesting a 
conversation with Father Morrin gave him much hap- 
piness, and the assurance of that good man’s sympa- 
thy and prayers raised his spirits to such a degree 
that he was inclined to confuse his first step toward 
joining the Church with preparations for his immedi- 
ate marriage to Margaret Redmond. In this happy 
frame of mind wind and rain had no terrors for him. 
He was not inclined to read or to speculate when he 
reached home, for he had finally resolved to place 
himself under Father Morrin’s guidance the following 
week. So at peace with himself and all the world, 
he went to bed and was soon lost in a sweet, refresh- 
ing slumber. 

Easter Tuesday was destined to be a memorable 
day in the Chicago office of the Van Deever firm. At 
an early hour two telegrams were brought in. One 
was from Homer Van Deever, which informed his son 
that he expected to arrive in Chicago via the Michi- 
gan Central at half-past three o’clock. The other was 
from Mrs. Wilson, Margaret’s aunt in Baltimore, re- 
questing her niece to meet her at the Baltimore and 
8 113 


MARGARET'S INFLUENCE 


114 

Ohio train at nine the following morning. Margaret 
immediately handed this message to Webster Van 
Deever. 

“ My aunt is coming on a brief visit, and ex- 
pects to take my mother east with her,” she said. 
“ The doctor insists on a change of air to help toward 
her complete restoration. I would like to spend some 
days home now — Miss Long is back, so you will be 
able to dispense more readily with my services — 
and help get things ready.” 

Van Deever listened with mingled joy and regret. 
He realized only too well that Mrs. Redmond, for 
some inexplicable reason, was prejudiced against him, 
and he thought that his suit would make better prog- 
ress if the mother was absent for a brief while. 
Still, he could not bear the thought of having Mar- 
garet away from him even for a day. He felt that 
she had become absolutely necessary to his existence. 

“ I can’t say no to you, Miss Redmond,” he an- 
swered. “ You’ve been very faithful these last three 
months, and it is only natural you would want a few 
days under* these circumstances. Will you please, 
however, remain here to-day until four o’clock, as I 
want you to meet my father. He has just wired me 
from Detroit. And then, if you do not object, I’ll 
make arrangements to accompany you to the depot in 
the morning and bring you and your aunt to' your 
home.” 

Homer Van Deever was a man of herculean build, 
who knew neither fatigue nor sickness. His principal 
ambition in life was to enhance and perpetuate the 


A FAMILY QUARREL 


ii5 

family name by making his son a leading factor in the 
financial world. He had treated many unmercifully 
in his long life, and unjustly, too, believing that might 
was right, and it was this policy which had brought 
Philip Redmond to an early grave. In addition he 
had the sagacity and indomitable will which are char- 
acteristic of modern business success. 

He smiled approvingly now, as he entered the 
Chicago office in company with his son and Mr. Jen- 
kins, who had gone to meet him. He had a kind word 
for all the clerks, as they were introduced one by one, 
until Margaret Redmond’s name was mentioned. To 
the surprise of all, for all were listening and observant, 
this name seemed to strike a discordant note. 

“ What is it ? What is that name again ? ” he de- 
manded, drawing down his eyebrows. 

“ Miss Redmond — Miss Margaret Redmond,” re- 
peated his son, a little surprised. “ One of the ablest 
stenographers — ” 

“ Any relation to Philip Redmond, who died here 
a few years ago?” demanded Homer Van Deever, 
imperiously. 

“ His daughter,” answered Margaret, looking at 
the senior member of the firm with an expression of 
astonishment and pain. 

“ Humph!” growled Van Deever, unpleasantly. 
“ We’ll see ! ” He turned on his heel at once and 
entered his son’s private office, leaving Margaret red 
with embarrassment, and conscious that all eyes were 
fastened on her. 

“What’s the matter, dad?” asked Webster Van 


n6 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

Deever, in a puzzled tone, as he followed him. “ Are 
you sick, or tired from the trip? ” 

“ Sick ! Tired ! Ever know me to be sick or 
tired? ” said his father. “ I want you to dismiss that 
creature at once ! ” 

“ Why ! Whom do you mean ? ” 

“ Philip Redmond’s girl. No Redmond shall ever 
work in this office as long as I live.” 

Webster Van Deever stood staring at his father in 
complete astonishment. 

“ She’s all right, dad. Every one in the office will 
tell you that she does as much work as two ordinary 
clerks. Ah! Come in, Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Bar- 
tholomew! We were talking of Miss Redmond. I 
leave you to verify my statement that she is an excel- 
lent and faithful worker.” 

Both men immediately bore out the truth of these 
words, but Homer Van Deever was not the man to 
listen. He dismissed them curtly enough, and sent 
for Miss Redmond, intending, indeed, to summarily 
discharge her. But she had saved herself this hu- 
miliation by departing for home as soon as Mr. Van 
Deever entered his son’s office. 

Webster Van Deever instantly realized what this 
meant for him. If Margaret were dismissed now she 
would probably pass out of his life forever. Again, 
as manager of the local office he had a perfect right 
to choose his assistants. Then, too, he was in a hot 
temper of anger against his father, considering that 
he had humiliated him and disgraced him in the eyes 
of his entire force of subordinates. 


A FAMILY QUARREL 


ii 7 

So when Bartholomew and Jenkins had retired, 
and Mr. Jenkins had delivered the information that 
Miss Redmond had gone home, the young man turned 
on his father, saying in a tone that was dangerously 
calm: 

“ I have a perfect right to engage and retain just 
whom I please in this office, dad. I consider your 
conduct not only ungentlemanly, but also extremely 
unbusinesslike. Wait, please, until I finish ! ” as his 
father tried to interrupt him. “ A Redmond was in 
this office before we came to Chicago. A Redmond 
is engaged here now, and a Redmond shall stay here 
as long as I am a member of the firm, if she 
chooses ! ” 

Homer Van Deever’s wrath rose mountain-high. 

“ I suppose you know that I crushed her father and 
brought him to the grave in order to give you a start 
in life! ” he hissed savagely. “ You taunt me with it 
now by making her your right hand! Well, I give 
you twenty-four hours to reconsider the matter. At' 
the end of that time I’ll put you out of the office and 
cut you off without a cent ! ” 

And with this Homer Van Deever grabbed up his 
hat, stalked out of the room, and made his way to 
the house on Jackson Boulevard. 

Webster Van Deever quietly reviewed the meaning 
of his father’s words, as his anger gradually cooled. 
He understood now the aversion Homer Van Deever 
must feel toward Margaret, and the reason of Mrs. 
Redmond’s antipathy toward himself. If only he had 
known the truth! But then he was glad that he had 


n8 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

not known, for how could he have presumed to face 
her, to woo her, with his father’s guilt, like the mark 
of Cain, upon his forehead? The gravity of the sit- 
uation overwhelmed him. He must share his fa- 
ther’s misdeeds by submitting to him and deserting the 
woman he loved, or he must take what was his and 
go his way. Painful though such a choice might be, 
it did not take him long to arrive at a decision. 

He loved Margaret. They had not pledged their 
love in words, but he was sure that she reciprocated 
his affection, since love has a language of its own. 
She had said nothing, promised nothing — and yet he 
had desired always to prove himself her friend. The 
day on which to prove himself had dawned. He would 
take his own private fortune and strike out for him- 
self. In the morning when he saw her he would tell 
her all; he would tell her that she was far dearer to 
him than his father ; he would tell her of his intention 
to join the Church as soon as Father Morrin thought 
him sufficiently instructed. Then certainly they 
would come to an understanding. He would make 
Mrs. Redmond’s life comfortable at least, and try to 
make up to both of them for what they had suffered 
at his father’s hands! But now came the fear that 
Margaret might spurn him when she learned all. 

“ Even if she does,” he said, resolutely, “ she can 
not prevent me from making restitution in as far as I 
am able.” 

Being a thorough man of business the young fellow 
started to put his office in order for whoever might 
succeed him. After preparing a detailed memoran- 


A FAMILY QUARREL 119 

dum of various matters for Mr. Jenkins, he finally 
closed his desk and left the building. 

Homer Van Deever had not recovered his equa- 
nimity by any means before he reached his home. 
He showed his anger there by abusing the servants 
who came in to welcome him and soon found fuel to 
feed his wrath in certain books which lay on a small 
table in the drawing-room. One was a costly Bible. 
On the fly-leaf was inscribed in his son’s bold hand- 
writing: “A remembrance of my first visit to Mar- 
garet Redmond.” Others were doctrinal books, con- 
taining the clumsy autograph of Andy O’Regan. 
Homer Van Deever immediately concluded that 
Andy was at the bottom of all the trouble. He sent 
for him. No sooner had Andy entered the room 
than book after book was leveled, in tempestuous 
fury, at his head. 

“You snake! You hypocrite!” shrieked the en- 
raged man. “ Get out of here ! Get out of my way ! 
Get out of this house ! I won’t have you in it another 
moment ! ” 

“ I’ll go, or I’ll stay, just as my master says,” said 
Andy with quiet dignity, as he stooped to gather up 
the volumes which had narrowly missed him. 

“You will, will you?” shouted Homer Van 
Deever, infuriated. “ I’ll throw you into the street 
with my own hands — ” 

“ Put a finger on me, sir, and you’ll sleep one night 
of your life in jail,” said Andy, in the calm tone more 
maddening than any rage could have been. “ And 
I’m neither a snake nor a hypocrite, for I have faith- 


120 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


fully kept the promise I made you twenty-six years 
ago.” 

“ I’ll hound you like a dog! ” shrieked Van Deever. 

“ You are old enough to have better sense,” said 
Andy, getting out of the room and closing the door 
behind him, not knowing whether it was another book 
or his foot that Homer Van Deever lunged at him. 
By the noise against the door it seemed as if the gen- 
tleman had tried to kick him. Andy went upstairs, 
packed his belongings quickly, and locked his trunk. 
He knew that Homer Van Deever was implacable, 
and that he would be forced to leave. Then he went 
downstairs again and out the back way, going down 
the street to stand guard and watch for his master’s 
return. When Webster Van Deever finally came 
Andy described the scenes which had been enacted at 
the house since his father’s arrival. 

“ Go down to the Auditorium,” Webster said, after 
weighing the matter carefully for a moment; “ en- 
gage suitable rooms for both of us. Then step in at 
the post office and direct all my mail to be delivered 
at the hotel until further notice. And then send a 
wagon for our trunks.” 

On the way to his own room Homer Van Deever 
intercepted him. 

“What is this I find you reading?” he sneered. 
“You Papist! You degenerate!” . 

“ Father,” said the young man, quietly, “ I am 
leaving to-night. But before I go I wish to state that 
I was entirely ignorant of the fact that it was you 
who ruined Philip Redmond. Nor had I any idea 


A FAMILY QUARREL 


121 


that you employed such tactics to enrich your son. I 
shall make reparation to those you have wronged as 
soon as I can find them. 

“ I also wish to say that I am no degenerate. You 
brought me up like a human animal. Of late I have 
discovered that I have an immortal soul that is not 
content with the honors, riches, and pleasures of this 
life. Disinherit me, if you want to. The only fa- 
vor I ask is that you give my mother my love when 
you return to New York. Tell her also that I shall 
cherish her memory as long as I live.” 


CHAPTER XV 


“ BEGONE, SATAN ! " 

TT OMER VAN DEEVER went back to the draw- 
^ ing-room, storming and raging as he thought of 
his son and the events of that day. He walked the 
floor like a caged beast. In one continuous stream he 
poured forth the fury of his wrath on the three who 
had provoked it. When he had fumed until he could 
fume no more, he sat down to the table, filled a glass 
of wine, and lit one of his son’s cigars. 

“ The impudence of that boy trying to dictate to his 
own father ! ” he began. “ The cunning of that ad- 
venturess — the ingratitude of that pauper O’Regan! 
I’ll show them I’m no dotard! I’m still master! 
Philip Redmond is dead, and his ghost shall not 
haunt my office. At least Webster should respect 
my — but he’s always been a stubborn mule! This 
time I hold the purse-strings — and I’ll make him bite 
the dust ! I will ! I will ! ” 

The wine warmed his selfish heart and the cigar 
soothed his irritated nerves, so that, after a while, his 
anger seemed to die away a trifle. 

“ By jingo, but the lad has grit ! ” said Van Deever, 
bringing his fist down on the table. “ If I can only 
manage him, he’ll buy out many a millionaire yet — 
he’s got the spunk and ability to do it ! In spite of his 
122 


BEGONE, SATAN!” 


123 


mulishness I hate to turn him loose. I won’t! He 
must give in ! He must see it my way ! ” He 
thought again of the bold defiance which had met his 
peremptory demand of Margaret Redmond’s dis- 
missal. “ The audacity of him to engage Philip 
Redmond’s daughter and cling to her in spite of my 
express wish! . . . But I’ll do anything for the 

boy — I will, if he only gets rid of that — of that 

girl ! ” 

He jumped up then and went to the telephone. 
When he had finally located Mr. Jenkins he told him 
to come to him at once, as he had a matter of some 
importance to discuss with him. 

Long before Jenkins could arrive Webster had su- 
perintended the removal of his and Andy’s trunks, 
and departed. The servants who helped him later on 
informed his father that he had gone to the Audito- 
rium Hotel. Homer Van Deever was still upset 
when Jenkins was announced, and lost no time in 
opening the conference. 

“ In all my life,” he said, stiffly, “ I have never 
been treated so contemptuously. And I will not take 
it, not even from my own son.” 

“ No, Mr. Van Deever,” said Jenkins, his fawning 
manner much in evidence. “ It is not to be expected 
that you should.” 

“ You, of course, know the reason why I do not 
want a Redmond in my office, for you closed the deal 
with that girl’s father. Webster informs me that he 
knew nothing of the transaction — at least that is 


124 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


one extenuating circumstance. But son or no son — 
I’m going to fight him to the bitter end ! ” 

Mr. Jenkins said nothing — there was nothing for 
him to say. 

“ On one condition, therefore, I will take him back 
— he must give up the Redmond girl. He is down 
at the Auditorium now, and I’ve sent for you to see 
if together we can devise some plan to bring him to 
his senses.” 

With the sagacity of a shrewd reader of character, 
for Jenkins was used to weighing the minds of men in 
his own interests, he saw now that Homer Van Dee- 
ver was really anxious to be reconciled to his son. 

“ Webster, like many a high-strung young man, is 
rather impetuous,” he said. “ Perhaps he might be 
made to see the error of his defiance and to accept the 
chance of coming to some agreement with you.” 

“Precisely my idea!” said Homer Van Deever, 
pleased with these words of his subordinate. “ I 
want you, therefore, to use your influence with him. 
If you can persuade him to listen,” he waited a mo- 
ment, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table, 
“well, there’ll be a thousand dollars in it for you.” 

“ You are too generous,” said Jenkins, his eyes 
sparkling with delight, for he had no misgivings but 
that the money was as good as earned. “ I feel con- 
fident that I can send you a favorable report within 
an hour.” 

“ That’s good,” declared Homer Van Deever, his 
spirits rising. “ I will remain up, then, until I hear 


“ BEGONE, SATAN!” 125 

from you by ’phone. The other matter we’ll take 
care of in the morning.” 

So many urgent affairs had engaged Webster Van 
Deever’s attention that it was too late to telephone to 
Margaret, or to call on her after his arrival at the 
hotel. Besides, he meant to go to her house very 
early in the morning, and put the whole case before 
her and her mother. Andy was patiently waiting 
for him when he got to his new rooms. 

“ The Lord must have great things in store for 
you when you become a child of God, Mr. Webster,” 
said Andy, “ for the Bible says ‘ Whom the Lord 
loveth He chastiseth, and He scourgeth every son 
whom He receiveth.’ I’m praying hard that His 
angels will watch over you in this hour of trial.” 

“ I’ll be satisfied if there’s just one angel faithful 
to me, Andy,” said Webster Van Deever, with a 
pleasant smile. 

Soon after they had taken themselves to their 
quarters, a bell-boy rapped at the door, and an- 
nounced a gentleman to see Mr. Van Deever. He 
handed in Mr. Jenkins’ card. 

“ Jenkins!” exclaimed the young man, looking at 
Andy in a puzzled fashion. “ Well, show him up ! ” 
he said to the bell-boy. Andy went into the inner 
room reserved for himself, but made up his mind to 
see the departure of this unexpected visitor. 

“ With all my heart I regret this unpleasant turn of 
affairs,” began Mr. Jenkins, as he entered Webster’s 
apartment. “ I can not help admiring your pluck — 


126 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


but Eve come to see if we can’t adjust matters so that 
business may go on as usual in the morning.” 

Webster suspected the errand on which Jenkins 
had come. But he was not in the right frame of 
mind to discuss the happenings of the afternoon, be- 
sides, his relations with Mr. Jenkins had always been 
of the most formal character, and for this reason, 
and because of an unconfessed dislike for the man, 
the vice-president was an unfortunate envoy. 

“ You can not regret it more than I do,” he said, 
coldly, “ and I can’t see where matters may be ad- 
justed. Certainly not without sacrificing my self-re- 
spect, and that I refuse to do. I certainly will not 
discharge Miss Redmond. She came to us when we 
needed her services badly, and I feel that she is now 
a very important member of our staff.” 

“ I’m afraid I scarcely agree with you,” said Jen- 
kins. “ Surely a stenographer is not worth such a 
momentous quarrel? Your father is rather vexed at 
the very thought that you could quarrel with him over 
such a trivial affair. He called me up an hour ago, 
and when I reached the house, expressed his regret at 
what had occurred, and sent me to talk it over with 
you to see how the matter could be amicably taken 
care of. ” 

“ Did my father mention the cause of his antipathy 
toward Miss Redmond ? ” 

“ Oh, I know all about the Redmond affair,” said 
Mr. Jenkins. “ I was in charge at the time — what 
about it? Business is business, Mr. Van Deever.” 


“ BEGONE, SATAN!” 127 

Webster flushed with angry indignation, yet he had 
sufficient control of himself to say, with emphasis : 

“ But I had no knowledge of any transactions hap- 
pening before I took charge and could not have been 
wanting in deference to my father when I engaged 
Miss Redmond.” 

“ That’s all true,” said Mr. Jenkins. “ Every one 
in the office is willing to exonerate you, Mr. Van Dee- 
ver, — but you must compromise now.” 

“ I would compromise if my father had not cut off 
every means of my doing so honorably,” said Van 
Deever. “ There is nothing left now but for him to 
take care of his own affairs and allow me to manage 
mine.” 

“ Oh, but now, Mr. Van Deever, you’ll surely 
acknowledge that your father has certain rights as 
president of our company which we all have to re- 
spect.” 

“ I am willing to respect them,” said Webster, 
coldly. “ But in this case he has exceeded his 
rights.” 

“ Miss Redmond possesses an admirable character, 
and has done her work well — for which you have 
paid her well. There your obligation ceases,” said 
Jenkins, desperately. “ Have you really considered 
this step? You have started on a successful business 
career. You have money, friends, luxury, and can 
afford to gratify your most expensive tastes. Yet 
you would sacrifice these for the sake of a woman? 
Honor and gallantry are all very fine, Mr. Webster, 


128 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


but you must realize how far they are carrying you. 
If you refuse to obey him, your father will perhaps 
not only disinherit you, but thwart you in every en- 
terprise you undertake.” 

Webster Van Deever laughed aloud. 

“ Let him try it ! ” he said. “ And as soon as may 
be ! I’m ready ! ” 

“ You’re a fool ! ” said Jenkins, as he saw the prom- 
ised reward slipping through his fingers. “ I had no 
idea that that jade had you so twisted around her lit- 
tle finger! She — ” 

“ What, what! ” cried Van Deever, springing to his 
feet indignantly. 

“If you were not so hopelessly infatuated with a 
common adventuress,” hissed Jenkins, “you would 
realize that an inheritance of fifty million dollars could 
purchase for you the joys of Solomon! ” 

Choking with a rage almost as strong as that which 
had animated his father earlier in the day Webster 
Van Deever swung out his powerful right arm, and 
his closed fist struck Jenkins so severely on the side of 
the head that the weakling fell to the floor uncon- 
scious, blood streaming from his nose and mouth. 

The disturbance brought several porters and Andy 
on the scene at once. 

“ Keep this quiet ! ” ordered the young man, to the 
porters, handing each a ten-dollar note. “ Summon 
a good doctor and telephone Homer Van Deever, on 
Jackson Boulevard, that his agent has met with an 
accident and is lying unconscious on the floor.” 

When Homer Van Deever finally arrived at the 


“ BEGONE, SATAN! 


129 


hotel he was shocked to hear that his son had hastily 
departed on the midnight train in company with his 
servant, and that Jenkins had not recovered con- 
sciousness sufficiently to explain what had happened. 
For the sake of the family name and in the interests of 
the company, the financier paid out a considerable 
sum to keep all notice of the unfortunate affair from 
the public. 


9 


CHAPTER XVI 


“ MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND ! ” 

TX7HEN she left the office on that Easter Tuesday 
* * afternoon Margaret Redmond had no idea that 
the intervention of divine Providence was so near at 
hand, by which her own heart was to be purified, and 
the sincerity of Webster Van Deever tested and 
proven. Seated in the car on her homeward way, 
Margaret recalled her pastor’s words with a shudder. 
She saw, in Homer Van Deever’s arrival, the fore- 
runner of approaching trouble. Yet she tried to calm 
her fears by saying to herself that disagreeable old 
man would remain only a few days, and that Webster 
would offer ample apology for his father’s peculiar 
and insulting conduct before the rest of her fellow- 
workers. 

Having thus disposed of the anxiety to which her 
meeting with Homer Van Deever had given rise, 
Margaret opened her handbag and took out the tele- 
gram received that day from her aunt. Though she 
had never seen Mrs. Wilson, who had spent most of 
her married life in South America, where her hus- 
band held a responsible position with a large Amer- 
ican corporation, she felt quite intimate with her, for 
she had for years conducted her mother’s correspond- 
ence. As she went home Margaret’s thoughts were 
130 


“ MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND!” 131 


naturally centered on this aunt of whom she had 
heard so much, and whom she hoped to welcome joy- 
ously the following morning. 

On entering the house she found her mother sitting 
by the parlor fire, wnere Genevieve had left her for a 
few moments. Margaret had already telephoned the 
good news home, and Mrs. Redmond was much de- 
lighted. 

“ I’m so glad Mary is coming,” remarked Mrs. 
Redmond. “ I haven’t seen her for twenty years. 
You were a little child when she married Mr. Wilson 
of the Barber Asphalt Co., and went with him to Ven- 
ezuela, so of course you can’t remember her! But I 
can see her just as she looked years ago. How 
quickly the time passes — I will soon be fifty-five 
years old! Charles, and John, and Lawrence are 
dead, my brothers, and your aunts Esther and Philo- 
mena, the Lord have mercy on them all! Matthew, 
Paul, Agnes, Mary and I are still left. God knows 
who will be the next to go.” 

“ No one for a long, long while,” said Margaret, 
affectionately. 

“ I’ll be so glad to see dear Maryland again be- 
fore I die ! ” said Mrs. Redmond. And then she 
wandered off into dreams of girlhood days. When 
she awoke from her reverie, Margaret was seated be- 
side her on the arm of the chair. 

“ I wonder if Mary is much changed,” she said, 
then. “ Photographs are so deceiving! Do you 
think you’ll be able to recognize her?” 

“ Why, certainly,” said Margaret, touching her 


132 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


mother’s hands gently. “ You see, she will be look- 
ing for me, while I will be at the gate looking for her. 
I won’t let her slip by me, even though she should not 
know who I am.” 

“ What is the matter, Margaret ? ” asked Mrs. 
Redmond, then, in sudden alarm. She scrutinized 
her daughter’s face and felt her hands. “ You are 
not well! Your face is so pale and your hands are 
so cold ! ” 

“ I’m all right, dear,” protested Margaret. “ I was 
upset and annoyed a little at the office, and the effects 
have not worn away, I presume.” 

“ Upset and annoyed ! That young man has been 
annoying you ! I knew it — I felt that he would ! ” 

Margaret had resolved not to speak of Homer Van 
Deever’s arrival and the subsequent affront which she 
had had to endure from him. But she had never kept 
anything from her mother in all her life, and now, 
when Mrs. Redmond insisted strenuously on knowing 
the entire facts, she could not remain silent. She had 
no clue to the mother’s secret fear of Homer Van 
Deever, a fear which she had always had, even in 
health. But weakened as she was by illness and wor- 
ried not a little by Webster Van Deever’s persistent 
wooing of her daughter, the knowledge that this man, 
who had been the cause of sending her dear husband 
to his grave, was now in the same city with them 
both seemed to overwhelm her utterly. 

“ O dear God, he is pursuing us still ! ” she moaned 
and fainted away. 

With Genevieve’s help Margaret succeeded in get- 


“MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND ! ” 


133 


ting her mother to bed. They rubbed her hands and 
bathed her forehead and when all their ministrations 
failed to revive her, they summoned Dr. King. 
After administering a tonic, and making various in- 
quiries concerning her rest and diet, he turned to Mar- 
garet : 

“ This looks as if she has had some severe shock/’ 
he said. “ Has she had any bad news recently ? ” 

In a few words, and with great distress, Margaret 
explained the cause of her mother’s sudden seizure. 
Dr. King agreed at once that an immediate removal 
from the city was imperative in order to set Mrs. Red- 
mond’s mind completely at rest. 

In the morning, Margaret went to the depot in am- 
ple time to meet the train. She had been hoping 
that Webster Van Deever would not keep his word 
about calling for her, as she was afraid that this 
might cause her mother further distress, and her hope 
was fulfilled, for she neither saw nor heard from him. 
She took her stand opposite the gate, observing each 
passenger closely. She was not a little surprised when 
a middle-aged lady approached her without hesita- 
tion and embraced her heartily. ^ 

“ My dear, I would recognize you anywhere ! You 
are your mother’s very self — just as she looked on 
her wedding-day ! How is she, my dear child ? ” 

“ She’s been failing all winter, as you know,” re- 
plied Margaret, “ but she had a sudden sinking spell 
last night, when she learned that Homer Van Deever, 
whom, I now understand, was the man who ruined 
papa’s business, had returned to the city. The doctor 


134 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


says she ought to leave as soon as possible. She 
rested well, and is quite bright this morning. She is 
so anxious to see you.” 

Mrs. Redmond, of course, could not remain in bed. 
With Genevieve’s assistance she was able to dress and 
was waiting for her daughter and sister in the parlor 
when they arrived. Here the sisters met, and em- 
braced each other, shedding tears of happiness. Mrs. 
Redmond chatted as though she had never been ill, 
and even joined them at the dinner-table, afterward 
suggesting that the girls sing, “ Maryland, My Mary- 
land,” in which both she and her sister joined. There 
was so much to tell and to be told. Mrs. Wilson re- 
lated the history of their Eastern relatives, about their 
sisters and brothers and their families, their nieces 
and nephews, her own family, their conditions and as- 
pirations. Finally the sisters drifted into an exchange 
of personal reminiscences of days gone by, omitting 
nothing of interest from their earliest recollection to 
the present. 

But in spite of all Mrs. Wilson’s efforts to direct 
her sister’s mind, Mrs. Redmond came back again and 
again to the cause of her present trouble. She ex- 
plained at length how the rapacity of the Van Dee- 
vers had brought her dear Philip to an early grave, 
and how they now threatened to rob her of Margaret, 
her one consolation. It thus happened that as the 
sisters talked and laughed and wept in turn, Mrs. Wil- 
son gradually perceived the wisdom of the doctor’s 
advice, and finally suggested that they arrange to leave 
for Baltimore on the 10.40 train the following morn- 


“ MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND ! ” 135 


ing. When this had been agreed upon, Mrs. Red- 
mond retired for a little nap, while Mrs. Wilson joined 
the two girls to help them prepare for the journey. 

“ And what will you do, Margaret, when your 
mother is gone ? ” she asked her niece. 

“ Work, I suppose, so that I can provide for her 
when she returns,” said Margaret, smiling. “ I think 
I shall store the furniture and stay with Genevieve 
while mother is away.” 

“ Why not sell it at once and come with us ? ” said 
Mrs. Wilson, urgently. “ With your ability you can 
find work anywhere. And besides you will have so 
many relatives anxious to entertain you that you won’t 
be able to work for some time to come.” 

“ I do wish we could both go,” said Margaret. 
“Wouldn’t it be splendid, Genevieve? We would 
have a fine time and come back with mother.” She 
grew thoughtful as she spoke. Webster Van Deever’s 
silence was very puzzling — she could not understand 
it. Was it possible — « 

“ I would enjoy a visit,” said Genevieve, “ but not 
at present. I have certain very important reasons for 
staying in Chicago.” 

Instead of sleeping, Mrs. Redmond lay on her bed 
and thought of her approaching visit to the scenes of 
her childhood. She thought, too, of the dangers to 
which Margaret might be exposed during her absence, 
and with all her fears of the Van Deevers newly 
aroused, she suddenly determined that she would not 
leave Margaret behind — that her daughter must ac- 
company her to Baltimore. She got up from her 


136 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


pillows, therefore, and went into the parlor, where 
the others were busily engaged in packing; she was 
just in time to catch the drift of the conversation. 

“ That is right, that is right ! ” she exclaimed to her 
sister. “ Margaret must come with us. I will not 
leave her here, exposing her to God knows what dan- 
gers.” 

“ But, mother ! ” exclaimed Margaret, in consterna- 
tion. “How are we to make a living there?” 

“ I don’t know, sweetheart,” said the mother, firmly. 
“ I know we can’t afford it — but God will provide 
for us. He will, my darling. Only let us go away.” 

Margaret and Genevieve sat silent, stunned. Both 
turned pale. Margaret gave her friend a quick 
glance — then drew a long, resolute breath. She 
went to her mother’s side and put her arms around 
her tenderly. 

“ I have never disobeyed you in my life, nor refused 
to take your counsel, mother,” she said. “ I will not 
now. I gladly go with you, and God will provide for 
us as you say.” 

As soon as this was decided upon Margaret’s trunk 
was brought forth and she, too, began to prepare for 
the journey. It was agreed that Genevieve would see 
to the storing of the furniture and also notify Mar- 
garet’s employer of her sudden departure. 

“ Genevieve,” said Margaret, when the two were 
alone after supper, “ isn’t it odd that in spite of Web- 
ster Van Deever’s promise to come here this morn- 
ing, and his — well, his devotion all along — doesn’t 


“ MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND! ” 


137 


it seem peculiar that I haven’t seen or heard from 
him? Especially after his father’s horrid treatment 
of me? Or do you think his father’s arrival — ” 

She looked sad and disappointed. Genevieve made 
no reply. 

“ It may mean a complete change of feeling on his 
part,” continued Margaret. 

“ It does look queer,” admitted Genevieve, “ but 
give him until morning. Something may have pre- 
vented him from coming to-day, or he may be busy — 
but he could have ’phoned ! ” she said, in a vicious lit- 
tle tone, for she was very much put out. “ However, 
give him the benefit of the doubt. If we don’t hear 
from him to-morrow before you leave: Well, you 
write to him. I’ll deliver the note.” 

Nothing was seen nor heard of Webster Van Dee- 
ver up to a half-hour of their departure. So Mar- 
garet’s last act in Chicago was to sit down and indite 
the following note, with suggestions from Genevieve 
that would have made it decidedly more energetic, 
had the girl thought it advisable to insert the paren- 
thetic remarks with which her friend punctuated every 
sentence : 

“ Dear Mr. Van Deever : This is to inform you 
that I am leaving for Baltimore on the 10.40 train, 
and to notify you that I resign my position, not alone 
during my absence from Chicago, but after my return. 
Nothing could ever induce me to enter your employ 
again, and had I known the truth concerning your 


138 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


father’s unscrupulous conduct toward those dear to 
me, nothing could ever have induced me to enter your 
office at any time. 

“ In regard to your apparent friendship for myself, 
you will kindly remember in the future that I shall 
consider any evidence of such, an additional insult 
from one whom I have good cause to hold in con- 
tempt. 

“ Sincerely yours, 

“ Margaret Redmond.” 
To Mr. Webster Van Deever. 

And even Genevieve Harty was satisfied with this. 


CHAPTER XVII 


SYMPATHETIC HEARTS 

CC A S long as I live I’ll never, never, NEVER 
^ trust a man again ! ” 

It was Genevieve, of course. She and her brother 
Lawrence were packing the Redmond furniture. 
Ordinarily good-natured and careless and willing to 
make light of many seemingly important matters, 
Genevieve had a keen sense of the respect due her 
womanhood. The more she reflected on Webster Van 
Deever’s treatment of Margaret Redmond the more 
irritated she became. 

“ Thank you, oh, thank you ! ” replied her brother, 
as he seated himself on the box he had been packing, 
and lit his pipe. “ What am I doing here if you can’t 
trust men? ” 

“ Pardon me,” said Genevieve. “ That compliment 
was not intended for you, but for a certain man named 
Van Deever whom I — You won’t tell on me if I 
use slang, will you? Honest? Well, Lawrence, I’d 
just like,” she doubled her two small fists, and her 
eyes sparkled dangerously, “ I’d like to tan him to a 
finish this minute!” 

Lawrence Harty doubled up with laughter. He 
knew Genevieve well enough to realize that she meant 
every word she said. 


139 


140 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

“ Ho, ho, ho ! ” he laughed. “ I’ll take it for 
granted that you are an expert in painting, powdering 
and dyeing — spare me ! Don’t throw that, you 
might hit me! I’d no idea you’d got to tanning. 
Will it be tattooing next? ” 

“ Oh, be serious. I’m disgusted ! ” 

“ Tell me why you’ve got it in for that poor Dutch- 
man.” 

“ He’s not a Dutchman — he’s an American. 
That’s why I can’t forgive him for the way he’s 
treated Margaret.” 

“Tried to elope with her?” suggested Lawrence 
Harty. “ I didn’t think she was that kind — but 
there’s no telling what a girl will do.” 

“ You can depend upon it that a girl will work out 
her own salvation wisely,” replied Genevieve, “ if you 
don’t make her lose her head by trifling with her heart- 
strings.” 

“ Granted ! ” said Lawrence. “ Now, however, tell 
me who Van Deever is, and what he has done to 
Margaret.” 

“ Haven’t you ever heard of Webster Van Deever 
of the Van Deever brokerage firm? ” asked Genevieve, 
in surprise. 

“ My dear girl, since I’m no longer necessary to 
the support of the family, and am so rarely in Chi- 
cago, I know little about the city. So perhaps that’s 
why I haven’t the pleasure of being acquainted with 
the gentleman.” 

“ But I’m acquainted with him,” said Genevieve, ill- 
humoredly, “ and the acquaintance isn’t any sort of 


SYMPATHETIC HEARTS 


141 

pleasure to me just now. He is the son of a million- 
aire, the graduate from some Eastern University, and 
at present manager of his father’s Chicago office.” 

“Well, I gave Margaret credit for having sense! 
How did she come to think of such a man as that 
seriously? ” 

“ You can just depend on it that Margaret wouldn’t 
have anything to do with him ! ” said Genevieve hotly. 
“ He tormented her and followed her, and was at her 
feet continually for the past four months! Then, 
the night before last, Papa Van Deever appeared on 
the scene, unexpectedly, and Mr. Webster has been 
conspicuous by his absence since.” 

“ I’m interested,” said Lawrence. “ Tell me all 
about it.” 

“ There isn’t much to tell,” said Genevieve. “ She 
met him at the Charity Ball, on New Year’s Eve. He 
actually tried to kiss her and she snubbed him well.” 

“ Good ! Would you have done the same, Gen- 
evieve ? ” teased her brother. 

“Of course I would if I had done what was right,” 
said Genevieve, sharply. “ Do you think I would 
sacrifice any of my principles even for the son of 
a millionaire ? ” 

“ Oh ! the principle being that you would cheapen 
yourself.” 

“ No. That’s the principle of the worldly wise,” 
said Genevieve, shrewdly. “ My principle is that kiss- 
ing isn’t right.” 

“ You’d make it a sin to kiss your mother? ” asked 
Lawrence, laughingly. 


142 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Don’t be silly!” said Genevieve. “ You know 
what I mean. A girl is imprudent and wanting in 
modesty if she permits such familiarities from any 
one but members of her family, and her own sex.” 

“ Good ! ” said Lawrence. “ But how about Mr. 
?” 

“As Father Dinneen told us a few Sundays ago,” 
interrupted Genevieve, “ St. Paul says that not all 
things that are lawful are expedient.” 

“ I suppose I’ll never dare to ask you to a dance 
again,” said Lawrence, with a sign of seeming despair. 
“ Since it was at a dance this terrible thing hap- 
pened ! ” 

“ Ask me and see,” suggested Genevieve. “ An oc- 
casional dance is a good thing and I enjoy it. But 
the Church objects to the promiscuous dance or party, 
where you are thrown in with all kinds of people, 
people whom you would not care to recognize later. 
A nice dance, with select attendance and chaperons, 
is tolerated, especially if your parents are the chaper- 
ons. I don’t think the Church objects to any inno- 
cent amusement.” 

“ Listen to the theologian ! ” said Lawrence Harty 
in amusement. “ You’re becoming an expert since 
you attend Father Dinneen’s conferences. But seri- 
ously, Genevieve, what would you think of a fellow 
who would give up a girl because he found out that 
she had permitted another man to kiss her ? ” 

“ I’d think him a prig and a prude ! ” said Gen- 
evieve. “ He has no right to expect any more from 


SYMPATHETIC HEARTS 


143 

a girl than she may expect from him. The Command- 
ments are given to him as well as to her.” 

“ Well, then, when should young people seal their 
affections with a kiss ? ” demanded Lawrence. 

“ Why, when they become engaged, and occasion- 
ally afterward until they are married, and then real 
often.” 

“ I wonder how long they should be engaged,” per- 
sisted Lawrence. “ That’s a question you often hear 
discussed.” 

“ It seems to me no man ought to monopolize a 
girl’s time unless he intended to marry and was able 
to support her. Then when they find out that their 
ways and tastes harmonize, they ought to become en- 
gaged, and marry as soon after as ever they can. 
But, look here! Why are you asking all these ques- 
tions, I’d like to know ! ” she said, suspiciously. 

“ Oh, because I happened to kiss, with serious in- 
tentions, a charming young lady just before I came 
home for my Easter vacation,” said Lawrence, his eyes 
dancing merrily. 

“Well! You dear old bachelor!” Genevieve 
jumped up and threw her arms about her brother 
with delight. “ This is interesting — tell me all 
about it! Who is she? What sort of a girl is my 
future sister-in-law ? ” 

“ This is not for publication yet,” warned Lawrence. 
“ But I felt so good I had to tell some one.” 

“ And I just happened to be around ! ” pouted Gen- 
evieve. “ But never mind — tell me what she looks 
like.” 


144 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ What do you think she ought to look like ? ” teased 
her brother. “ Come, now — what kind of girl do 
you think I ought to marry ? ” 

“ In the first place, she must be a Catholic,” said 
Genevieve. 

“ Surely — I wouldn’t think of having any one else. 
And that reminds me of an incident that took place 
on the train one day when I was coming East from 
La Crosse. Three drummers sat opposite me dis- 
cussing the subject of marriage. One rather dis- 
solute-looking chap had been boasting of a rather 
doubtful moral career and concluded his remarks by 
declaring that if he ever married he’d look around for 
a good Catholic girl. I hope you credit your brother 
with as much good sense as Mr. Drummer.” 

“ I certainly do,” said Genevieve. “ Then, I think 
she should not be too up-to-date. You’re just the 
least little bit old-fashioned, Lawrence.” 

“ I am. I had to work too hard when I was a boy 
to pay attention to all the little frivolities of the day. 
So I like the old-fashioned girl, who can keep house 
in the good old-fashioned way, and one who will not 
drive a fellow to drink by making a dyspeptic of 
him.” 

“ You have good taste,” said Genevieve. 

“ And a good appetite, too,” declared her brother. 
“ Mere beauty, influence, or culture would have little 
weight against home-making qualities. What I want 
is a life-partner with a heart so warm that she will 
cheer a home even when the frosts of old age descend 
upon it.” 


SYMPATHETIC HEARTS 


145 

“ But how in the world is any one to tell that be- 
forehand ? ” asked Genevieve. 

“ They say clothes don’t make the man,” said Law- 
rence, as he lit his pipe for the second time, “ and 
they don’t make the woman, either. When I meet a 
selfish, conceited girl, I look ahead twenty years and 
see Madam Scold. But when I find a girl that forgets 
herself in caring for her parents and younger brothers, 
or in helping her neighbors and friends in distress, 
I’ve found the girl who will be an ideal Mrs. Law- 
rence Harty ! ” 

“ Oh, I’d love to see her,” cried Genevieve, en- 
thusiastically. “ I know her appearance is a secon- 
dary matter — but what does she look like ? ” 

“ She’s a nice, neat, sweet, little fair-haired girl 
about your size, with hazel eyes,” answered her 
brother. 

“And where did you find her? In St. Paul?” 

“ No — in Milwaukee,” with a good-humored 
smile. 

“And her name? What is her name?” pleaded 
Genevieve. 

“ Ludwina Kirjawski ! ” 

“ L-a-w-r-e-n-c-e H-a-r-t-y ! ” shrieked Genevieve. 
And then. “ A Polish girl ! Oh ! What will your 
mother say ? ” 

“ Probably what our grandmother did,” said her 
brother, calmly, as he blew out a big cloud of smoke, 
“ when your father informed her that he was about 
to marry a German girl just learning English. Did 
you ever hear any one say mother wasn’t perfect?” 


146 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ I never did,” said Genevieve, in a quieter tone. 
“ After all, I suppose it amounts to the same thing. 
But, Lawrence, who’d ever dream of you marrying 
a Polish girl ! ” 

“ Intermarriage between people of various nation- 
alities gives the American people — and they are a 
distinct type — the life and vigor which make them 
lead the world,” replied Lawrence, seriously. “ I am 
neither Irish nor German. I claim to be as patriotic 
an American as your gilt-edged Van Deever, whose 
ancestors, doubtless,- came over in the steerage. It 
seems to me that as the bobolink changes not only its 
plumage but even its habits, into those of the rice 
bird on going South, so people from all countries are 
here transformed into true Americans. It’s in the 
air. They can’t help it.” 

This philosophy of her eldest brother, whom Gen- 
evieve reverenced as a second father, had its effect 
on her impartial mind. She was really anxious to 
meet and welcome her new sister. Then she looked 
at her brother with an odd little smile. She had not 
even revealed to Margaret the secret which she was 
now about to confess to him. 

“ I have some news that concerns myself, too,” she 
said. 

“ And what is it, sister ? Or perhaps I might say 
— when was it ? ” with a laugh. ' 

“ Easter Sunday,” said Genevieve, quietly. “ Since 
that day I have been an engaged young woman.” 

“ Whee ! ” cried Lawrence in delight. “ My con- 
gratulations ! ” 


SYMPATHETIC HEARTS 


147 


“ Thank you,” replied Genevieve, demurely. 

“ And what sort of chap is he ? ” 

“ Now it’s your turn to guess ! ” exclaimed Gen- 
evieve. 

“ Nothing too good for you, my girl!” said her 
brother, enthusiastically. “Of course he is a Cath- 
olic. Then he must be a clever business man to suit 
your notions, and he must have a genial disposition 
to appreciate your quiet humor. And his name is — ” 

“ Francis Reginald Hingston! ” declared Genevieve. 

“ What ! A howling Britisher ! What will your 
mother say ? ” 

“ Why, father and mother think he is just splen- 
did ! ” said Genevieve, laughing. 

“Great! Fine! When are you going to be mar- 
ried?” 

“ Some time in September if Margaret returns and 
everything goes well. And you ? ” 

“ I have won a June bride, who wants you to be 
bridesmaid.” 

“ I’ll be delighted,” exclaimed Genevieve. “ It will 
be a fine chance to rehearse for my own wedding- 
day.” 

And then they laughed and chatted, and Genevieve 
made strenuous efforts to pronounce the name of her 
brother’s fiancee, until she finally mastered it. “ But,” 
she added, smiling, “ I’m glad she’s going to change 
it so soon — I’ll never remember it.” 

And then the conversation came back to Margaret 
and her troubles. 

“ Let’s hear more about Van Deever,” said Law- 


148 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


rence. “ What did he do when Margaret squelched 
him?” 

“ He ran out to Seattle to forget all about her but 
came back more deeply in love than when he started. 
Finally, he managed to get her into his office, and 
was entirely devoted to her, and accompanied her to 
church every Sunday during Lent. He honestly 
changed his ways altogether, or seemed to, and was 
on the point of conversion. He had an indomitable 
will. When Margaret left the office Webster was en- 
gaged in a heated dispute with his father, who had 
shown his marked aversion for her. That was the 
last she saw of Webster Van Deever.” 

“ If this is correct,” said Lawrence, “ something has 
gone wrong. A man of that stamp does not change 
his mind easily. We will hear from him again.” 

“ Yes — if he isn’t called upon to sacrifice his mil- 
lions for the sake of the girl he pretended to love,” 
said Genevieve in a bitter tone. “ But I have a little 
note for him from Margaret which I have to deliver. 
I am going to bring it down myself, and find out the 
truth if I can.” 

The following morning Genevieve went down town 
expressly to discover all she might. The following 
letter, which she sent to Margaret later, will show 
better than words can her thoroughness, when her 
curiosity was aroused, and the means she took to sat- 
isfy it : 

“ My Dear Margaret : It occupied the whole of 
yesterday to attend to the storing of your furniture, so 


SYMPATHETIC PIE A RTS 


149 


I did not go down town until this morning. You 
may, therefore, imagine my surprise when I found the 
office deserted. No one beside Mr. Homer Van Dee- 
ver, and the young lady whom you have introduced 
to me as Miss Long, were within. In answer to my 
inquiry for Mr. Webster the man used very impolite 
language indeed, informing me, when he could get his 
breath, that Mr. Webster Van Deever had left Chi- 
cago, and that the office was going to be closed. He 
then asked me, surlily, what my business was. 

“ As I knew just what you had written, I could not 
refrain from giving him your note. Well, you would 
have been amply revenged could you have seen his 
face when he ripped open that envelope and read its 
contents. The windows fairly rattled! He stormed 
up and down, and I thought he was going to have a 
seizure, so I went away with more haste than elegance, 
fearing that he might pour out the vials of his wrath 
on my poor head. 

“ I did so want to give you complete information, 
that on leaving the office I remembered that Frank 
Hingston and Miss Long were on bowing terms. So 
I went to Frank and persuaded him to try to find out 
what he could. He called up the Van Deever office 
near the noon hour, hoping to catch Miss Long alone, 
and asked some question about stocks (I need not re- 
mind you that I found the framing of this question 
for him quite easy after overhearing so many conver- 
sations between you and Mr. Webster). He intro- 
duced himself then and asked for Mr. Webster. Miss 
Long is not very discreet, my dear Margaret. 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


150 

“ 4 Why ! ’ she exclaimed, 4 that big fool has turned 
Catholic ! He insulted his father and has nearly 
killed Mr. Jenkins, who is in the hospital. Then he 
took the midnight train for no one knows where, and 
his father has disinherited him.’ 

“ 4 And has nothing been heard of him since? ’ asked 
Frank. 

44 4 Nothing — but I hope they catch him and send 
him to the penitentiary ! ’ 

44 With which charitable wish the conversation 
closed. I hope, dear Margaret, you’ll not blame me 
for my detective work, as I know you don’t approve 
of it. I am very sorry we misjudged poor Webster. 
I intend to atone by discovering his hiding-place and 
putting him in communication with you. But, my 
dear girl, I am overjoyed that Father Van Deever re- 
ceived your note instead of him ! I hope your mother 
is getting better — give her the best wishes of the 
family, and an extra kiss for me. Dear Margaret, 
you do not know how I long to have a good talk with 
you. I hope that you will surely return before Sep- 
tember. If I do not stop now I shall miss the post- 
man, so good-by. Give my regards to Mrs. Wilson 
and all the family. 

44 Lovingly your friend, 

44 Genevieve.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 


DISINHERITED 

4C'IX7’ELL, I hope I haven’t killed Jenkins,” said 
* * Webster Van Deever, addressing his servant 
somewhat anxiously, when they were comfortably 
seated in the smoking apartment of the ’Frisco train 
that left Chicago at 11.32 p. m. for St. Louis. 

“ He must have given you great provocation,” com- 
mented Andy. 

“ I didn’t mind anything he said until his remarks 
were applied to some one else,” said Van Deever. “ I 
had no intention of hitting him so hard — but I was 
too furious to restrain myself.” 

“ By the way,” said Andy. “ You know that 
young lady who was in the office when I brought your 
father’s message this morning? I recognized her as 
one who went to Holy Communion at Father Morrin’s 
church nearly every day during Lent, and yet I can’t 
recall seeing her there on Sundays.” 

“ She lives out farther,” said Van Deever, “ and 
may have found it more convenient to step in at 
Father Morrin’s on her way to the office.” Then an 
idea struck him. “ Do Catholics ever receive Holy 
Communion when not fasting?” 

“ Only in case of serious illness,” Andy replied. 
“ Why?” 


152 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Why, she must have gone without her breakfast 
every morning!” said Van Deever. 

“ I suppose she put a cracker or two in her pocket 
and washed it down with a glass of water,” said Andy. 
“ She’s the kind you ought to marry, Mr. Webster, 
when this blows over,” he went on ; “ she’ll be true, 
and steady, and devoted — mighty different from the 
butterfly kind of girls.” 

“ I’m glad we think the same on this subject,” said 
Webster Van Deever, laughing, “ and I can assure you 
that if I didn’t have urgent business in Mexico I would 
propose to her before the sun goes down again. 
Though I’m not sure she’d have me.” 

“Judging from what I’ve seen and heard of her 
I’m willing to bet the same five-spot I won from you 
that you wouldn’t have to repeat your offer. She’s 
one that doesn’t mistake the clothes for the man.” 

“Good!” laughed Van Deever. “If she acts ac- 
cording to your prediction I’ll buy you the best suit 
of clothes in the market.” 

The train had pulled through the tunnel, and was 
approaching the depot in St. Louis the following morn- 
ing when Van Deever, who had been very thoughtful 
for some time, addressed Andy in a serious tone. 

“ Andy,” he said, “ you’ve been very faithful and 
devoted, but considering present circumstances, I feel 
as if I had no right to ask you to continue with me. 
I don’t want to lose you, but if you prefer to look for 
another position I’ll give you, gladly, the very best 
recommendation.” 

“ I’m well satisfied where I am,” said Andy. 


DISINHERITED 


153 


“ Since my wife died, and the children settled down 
in life I’ve laid away a nice nubbin for a rainy day. 
I have most of it with me in my pocket, and if you 
have no objections I’ll travel right along with you and 
see the country. After it’s gone, I’ve still a strong 
arm, and when that grows weak, thanks be to God, the 
door of the Little Sisters is always open.” 

“ If that’s the way you feel,” said Van Deever, 
much relieved, “ you hold on to your savings for that 
rainy day, and we’ll continue the old arrangement. I 
can guarantee that you’ll never have to ask shelter of 
the Little Sisters. Now, Andy, when we reach the 
depot,” continued Van Deever, Andy’s future being 
thus disposed of, “ I want you to get me copies of all 
the morning papers. In the meantime I’ll buy the 
tickets and re-check our baggage. Our train leaves 
in a half hour, so be sure not to miss it.” 

The tickets were bought and the baggage re-checked 
to New Laredo and then Webster met Andy at the 
gate and together they entered the car which was to 
carry them beyond the Rio Grande. Van Deever 
went over the papers carefully. Not a line touched 
on the affair that was filling his mind just then with 
the greatest anxiety. 

“ Perhaps the cad wasn’t hurt much after all,” he 
said ; “ or perhaps father thought it better to keep the 
affair quiet.” 

Though this seemed plausible, the uncertainty of the 
outcome gave him no rest. 

“ He’s not the best-natured man in the world, even 
if he is my father,” he thought, grimly. “ More likely 


154 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


he’s kept the matter quiet so that the detectives may 
find me the sooner. I really believe he’s capable of 
carrying his resentment that far! At any rate I’m 
going to take no chances until I’m safe.” 

Amid such doubts and anxieties the hours dragged 
wearily on, so that the strain and suspense of the two 
days’ travel made the time seem longer than ail entire 
month at the office. 

“ Have you ever heard of the Masons? ” asked Van 
Deever of Andy on the second day, when they chanced 
to be alone in the smoking apartment. Since his ar- 
rival in Chicago he had been frequently urged to join 
the craft. He would probably have done so had not 
his mind and heart been too full of Margaret Red- 
mond since their first meeting. He thought of this 
now with some regret, as he realized that in his pres- 
ent plight they would be willing and able to render 
him good service. 

“ To be sure I’ve heard of them,” said Andy, look- 
ing up in surprise at his master. “ When I was a 
boy I used to think they were some kind of monsters 
like the dragon killed by St. George. Of late, how- 
ever, I’ve had occasion to find out different.” 

“ And what have you discovered? ” asked Van Dee- 
ver, smiling. 

“ That the Masons are one of the largest and most 
influential unions in the world. They are able to 
command all powers and riches and honors and pleas- 
ures, to protect and to aid their members and to ad- 
vance them in the highest walks of life.” 

“That is just what I think, Andy,” agreed his 


DISINHERITED 


155 

young master. “ I’ve often been asked to join them, 
and I’m half-sorry now I didn’t.” 

“ Then you’ll never be a Catholic, sir. The Church 
forbids Catholics to join secret societies. No prac- 
tical Catholic can be a Freemason.” 

“ I’ve heard something like that before, Andy. 
What is the meaning of it? And is it the truth? 
Are you sure of it ? ” 

“ Yes, sir. Freemasonry is opposed to Christian- 
ity itself, and in particular to the Catholic Church. 
This is evident to one in touch with the persecution 
which many of those governments wage against re- 
ligion and the Church.” 

“ But, Andy, there are a number of Catholics who 
belong to the Freemasons!” 

“ They are all excommunicated. The Catholic who 
joins that society or any other forbidden society, for- 
feits his rights to the sacraments.” 

“ But why, why ? ” 

“ Because, as I have told you, the society is opposed 
to us. There is a radical antagonism between it and 
the Catholic Church. It is the world on one hand and 
Christ on the other. In view of her prohibition no 
man who understands his religious obligations can be 
a good Catholic and seek or hold membership in any 
of the societies condemned by her.” 

Van Deever listened, noting with some surprise the 
strong note of finality under Andy’s words. He re- 
spected that fearless Church, which in so many ways 
defied the powers of evil and darkness, and he was 
willing to acknowledge, having already accepted so 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


many of its noble teachings, that there must be a good 
and sufficient reason for this sweeping denunciation. 

“ There is also the Order of the Eastern Star, open 
only to master masons, their wives, mothers, sisters, 
and daughters. Then thefe is the Independent Order 
of Good Templars, which prides itself on being affilia- 
ted to the Masons. The Sons of Temperance, the 
Odd Fellows, and the Pythians, with their ladies’ aux- 
iliaries, the Daughters of Rebecca, and the Rathbone 
Sisters, are all recognized as being promoters of Ma- 
sonry.” 

“ You surprise me, Andy,” said Van Deever. “ I 
have honestly been regretting that I was not a Mason 
in this present trouble.” 

“ Thank God, you’re not ! ” said Andy. “ They 
might help you, but you’ll get along without them. 
That God who saved Daniel from the lion’s den and 
rescued the three youths from the fiery furnace is 
watching over you. If it were expedient He would 
send a legion of angels to protect you, but He ex- 
pects, at present, that you show of what metal you 
are made. The way of Calvary is the only way to 
heaven for a child of God. Won’t you take the cross 
the Saviour gives you ? ” 

“ You are right,” said Van Deever, in a humble 
tone. “ You have evidently given the subject much 
thought — and I am willing,” he added, resolutely, 
“ to follow the Saviour — even to Calvary. I think I 
am experiencing just the faintest spark of His desola- 
tion.” 

When the waters of the Rio Grande finally ap- 


DISINHERITED 


157 


peared in the distance, Van Deever breathed a sigh of 
relief. Andy yawned and stretched his weary limbs, 
and both rejoiced that the tedious journey was draw- 
ing to a close. Before seeking a hotel Van Deever 
sent a brief dispatch to his Chicago lawyers and con- 
fidential agents. 

“ Rogers & Hawkins, Rookery Building, Chicago : 

“Wire what news immediately. Answer prepaid. 

“ Van.” 

Some hours later the reply arrived that guaranteed 
the fugitives a night’s refreshing sleep. 

“Jenkins recovering. Bartholomew and ten clerks 
resigned. Incident suppressed. House for sale. 
Office closed. Business transferred to New York. 

“Rogers & Hawkins.” 

Before retiring that night Van Deever wrote a long 
letter to Margaret Redmond, in which he minutely de- 
scribed all that had taken place, from the unfortunate 
moment of her introduction to his father up to his 
precipitous flight from Chicago. “ Have I not proven 
my devotion to you ? ” he concluded, “ and yet I am 
ready, anxious, willing to prove it in any other way 
that offers.” 

After ten days, this letter, in which he had breathed 
forth his whole heart to Margaret, was returned un- 
opened. He sent word to his lawyers, and they in- 
formed him that Miss Redmond’s house was unoccu- 


IS8 MARGARET'S INFLUENCE 

pied, and that she had left the city suddenly and in- 
definitely shortly after his own departure; she had 
given no address at the post office, so that no letters 
could be forwarded. 

Van Deever was plunged into the deepest gloom. 
He wrote two other letters, hoping that one might 
reach her, but when both these were returned, he con- 
cluded that she had been offended and hurt, and had 
hidden herself deliberately so that he could find no 
trace of her. Surely, if this disappearance was not 
planned by her, Rogers & Hawkins would have been 
able to discover her whereabouts. 

“ At least," he thought, the natural generosity of 
his disposition asserting itself, “ though I am unwor- 
thy to be her husband, I will repair the loss which she 
and her mother have sustained through Jenkins and 
my father." 

Though an outcast and disinherited, Webster Van 
Deever was not by any means a pauper. His father, 
in the exuberance of his delight on the day he grad- 
uated with such high honors, had given him a million 
dollars in his own right. Then, as partner in the con- 
cern, his income had been a considerable one, and so, 
when he sat down to calmly review his affairs, he 
found that he was far from penniless. He could eas- 
ily afford to make reparation to the Redmonds. But 
on the one hand it was dangerous for him to return 
to Chicago at this critical time, and on the other the 
Redmonds had disappeared temporarily, and must be 
found before anything further could be done. 

Webster Van Deever, then, being, as we have said, 


DISINHERITED 


159 


primarily a man of business, cast about for a profita- 
ble* investment that would be free from his father’s in- 
terference. At first he thought of the oil wells that 
dot the verdant plains southwest of the Sabine River. 
Upon careful investigation, however, he concluded 
that it would be too risky for a man in his circum- 
stances. At last he decided on a fifty thousand acre 
cattle ranch, and then invested an additional two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars in stocking the ranch 
with the best cattle and making extensive improve- 
ments on the property. 


CHAPTER XIX 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 

/^\N the tract of land which Webster Van Deever 
acquired upon his arrival in Texas was the his- 
toric spot where the saintly Indian missionary, Ven- 
erable Anthony Margil, erected the sign of salvation 
among the poor savages in 1690. 

A stone church, built in the old mission style, marks 
the spot to this day, and is used as a parish church by 
the Mexicans of Bohia and the surrounding country. 
Their residence happened to be near this church, and 
the morning following his arrival at the ranch, Andy, 
at the conclusion of the services, introduced himself to 
the aged pastor, Padre Marino. To the surprise of 
the old Spanish priest, Andy fell on his knees before 
him. 

“ Will your reverence give Andy O’Regan your 
blessing? I’ve made it a point all my life to look for 
a church the first thing after moving into a strange 
place, and form the acquaintance of the pastor. I’m 
glad we’re so near-by, for now I can continue to go 
to Mass every morning, and may hope to have the 
priest when I take sick and die.” 

“ The new American family is then Catholic ? ” 
asked the pastor, smiling affectionately, as he gave 
Andy the coveted blessing. 

160 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 161 

“ There’s no family, your Reverence,” explained 
Andy. “ My master is a Catholic at heart, but has 
not yet been admitted to the Church. He was taking 
instructions before we came South,” he went on, 
“ but as we departed rather unexpectedly, he was not 
received before we left. He is anxious to be baptized, 
and I have no fear for his perseverance, for he says 
the rosary with me every day. He studies his cate- 
chism regularly and — but this is a secret — he wor- 
ships the noblest Catholic lady I ever saw.” 

“ Ah ! That is good ! ” said the pastor, with a com- 
prehending nod. “ Say to your master that if it is 
convenient old Padre Marino will call on him this 
afternoon at four o’clock. Give him my compliments, 
and tell him I thank God he has bought the Bohia 
ranch. I feel sure he will be kind to my poor Mex- 
icans.” 

After Andy had returned to his master and deliv- 
ered the message he tried to describe what he had seen. 

“ ’Pon my word,” he said, “ it’s the queerest place I 
ever was in. In front of the church two small bells 
are fastened to the cross-beam of the gate-posts. 
These bells are stationary, and are rung by means of a 
rope fastened to the clapper, which is pulled first to one 
side then to the other. They were originally do- 
nated by their majesties Ferdinand and Isabella, to 
the missions in New Spain, and their names are em- 
bossed on them. 

“ And would you believe it, there isn’t a shingle 

on the roof, nor a window in the wall, nor a board on 

the floor! The walls, which are very thick and made 
12 


1 62 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

of limestone, are arched over on top, just like the 
bridge crossing the lagoon in Lincoln Park. Up near 
the top where the walls begin to incline there are sev- 
eral slits in the masonry to permit the light to enter 
and the air to circulate. I looked for a pew, but there 
isn’t a single one in the whole church. Somehow I 
managed to kneel on the floor with the rest. While 
I was waiting for the priest to begin I thought I saw 
two natives near the altar, a man and a woman in 
jeans and calico and big straw hats. But when I 
went into the sacristy after Mass I saw they had a 
donkey with them and that they were not alive at all, 
but represented the flight into Egypt. On the altar 
there’s a representation of the Crucifixion. Our Sav- 
iour is dressed in a flannel shirt and buckskin trousers, 
and carries two immense pistols and two bowie knives 
in His belt. This, I suppose, is the Mexican way of 
impressing on the cowboys that the Saviour laid down 
his life freely for the salvation of mankind. 

“ Everything, in fact, about the place gives our re- 
ligion a strange flavor. Do you know,” continued 
Andy, after a pause, “ I was thinking seriously of 
using half my savings, if necessary, to renovate that 
church and make it a decent house of God. While I 
was looking at the building, the natives told me that 
during the Mexican War the church had been used 
as a fortification. They actually showed me several 
holes where cannon balls had partially entered the 
eight-foot wall. They also brought me to the bap- 
tistry in the tower where several Americans had been 
imprisoned.” 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 


163 


Webster Van Deever was charmed with the sim- 
plicity and piety of Padre Marino, and became much 
attached to him during the time the good pastor pre- 
pared him for the sacraments. As the thought of 
Margaret was always in his mind, he resolved to do 
something that he felt would please her, and at the 
same time show his appreciation of Padre Marino’s 
kindness. So, while having extensive improvements 
made on his property he also had the Church del Es- 
piritu Santo renovated. 

The walls were frescoed for the first time, and 
beautiful pictures were hung upon them, representing 
the various epochs of the history of the parish, from 
the planting of the mission cross on the banks of the 
San Antonio River by the saintly Franciscan pioneer, 
to the restoration of the church under Padre Marino. 
If the maple floors and oak pews gave the interior a 
modern appearance they certainly added to the com- 
fort of the faithful. The magnificent high altar and 
the beautiful stations in bas-relief were objects of 
special admiration for the simple Mexicans. 

Andy insisted on giving the new statues of St. 
Joseph and Our Lady. To his utter disgust, however, 
the people expressed their preference for the old 
statues that wore real clothes, to the new ones with all 
their artistic workmanship. In remembrance of Mar- 
garet, who had always worn a medal of the Sacred 
Heart, Webster Van Deever procured a fine statue of 
the Sacred Heart for the niche of the fagade above 
the main entrance. A new font was ordered for the 
baptistry and a new chime of bells. When the silvery 


164 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


notes from these fell, for the first time, on the mellow 
air, sending a cheerful message to the many poor 
Mexicans scattered over the plains, these simple folk 
were positive that they had caught an echo from the 
heavenly psalmody. 

After the old mission wall, which had been demol- 
ished during the Mexican War, had been finally re- 
built, and the crumbling convent or parochial residence 
restored, the happy day arrived at last for Webster 
Van Deever when he was to be made a child of God. 
The ceremony took place before a large congrega- 
tion, Andy standing sponsor for his beloved master. 

Van Deever seemed a little downhearted, for Mar- 
garet Redmond’s face haunted him, and he could not 
put her from his mind. Again and again, Andy 
cheered him with his jovial speech, and his pictures 
of a rosy future. “ You will still be living happily 
together long after that suit you promised me will 
have grown threadbare,” he used to say. And when 
he had exhausted his natural resources and failed in 
conquering his master’s depression, he would break 
forth into one of his favorite passages of Scripture, 
to bring home to him the providence of God. “ Be- 
hold the birds of the air ! ” he would exclaim, “ for 
they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into 
barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are 
not you of more value than they? Consider the lilies 
of the field, how they grow: they labor not, neither 
do they spin. But I say to you that not even Solomon 
in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. And 
if the grass of the field which is to-day and to-morrow 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 165 

is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe : how much 
more you, O ye of little faith!” 

For nine months the neophyte went three times a 
week to the parochial residence to receive instructions 
in the faith that daily grew more dear to him. 

“ And now,” said Padre Marino, when they had 
concluded the final lesson, “ I want to add a few words 
to induce you to approach the sacraments frequently. 

“ First, in regard to confession. A merciful God 
instituted the Sacrament of Penance primarily to rec- 
oncile the repentant sinner and secondarily to aid him 
in ascending to perfection. The earthly pilgrim may 
misuse the sacrament in two ways: by overdoing the 
examination, and by being wanting in the spirit of 
penance. In preparing for confession he may -devote 
too much time and attention to his examination of con- 
science, and so not only consume his limited energy 
unwisely, but also develop a supersensitive anxiety, 
which we call scrupulosity. When a person’s atten- 
tion is thus chiefly centered on the past, true sorrow 
for sin is paralyzed and the purpose of amendment 
usually miscarries. Self-examination, indeed, grounds 
us in humility, but the conversion of the heart or the 
spirit of penance is also essential to salvation. In the 
last analysis we can not have the evidence of sense or 
reason, which weak souls foolishly seek by over-ex- 
amination. On our earthly pilgrimage we must be 
content with the evidence of faith. Whenever our 
confession is entire this evidence dispels our anxiety 
about the past, consoles us in the present, and gives 
us courage to battle in the future. 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


1 66 

“ As some persons do not derive the proper help 
and encouragement from the confessional because they 
do not humbly submit to the guidance of their di- 
rector, so others impede the grace and efficacy of this 
sacrament by neglecting to ground themselves in the 
spirit of penance. Like the nine lepers who did not 
give thanks to God, they content themselves with sac- 
ramental reconciliation. Confession is only an act; 
penance, to be efficacious, must be a habit. Confes- 
sion is soon over; but the virtue of penance must re- 
main. It is the surest safeguard against relapse, and 
an essential requisite for perseverance. When the 
spirit of penance broadens and deepens, the earthly 
pilgrim regrets not only his own defects but also the 
faults of others. It impels him to make reparation, 
and console the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the impiety 
with which the world receives His favors. 

“ Holy Communion is the divine alchemy that trans- 
forms us into the living children of God. Even after 
we are born again of water and the Holy Ghost, the 
human elements remain. We are still as helpless in 
the spiritual life as infants in their mothers’ arms. 
From the cradle to physical perfection is a long and 
tedious development. But the transformation of the 
natural man to the perfection of the sonship of God is 
so long and tedious a process, that few, alas ! have the 
sincere good will to attain it ! Why are there so many 
infants, so many dwarfs and cripples in the spiritual 
life? Why so many suffering from the palsy? why so 
many spiritual dyspeptics? Because they try to at- 
tain the perfection of sons and daughters of their 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 167 

heavenly Father without the use or the proper use of 
this wonderful transformer. 

“ Now, Mr. Van Deever, I have reason to hope 
that you will not be one to faint by the wayside of 
life. I have reason to think that you will increase 
daily in spirituality, till you attain the full stature of 
a son of God, even as you have already arrived at 
man’s estate in the natural order. 

“ As long as you beware of the mists of delusion 
on the one hand, and the intoxicating influence of self- 
love on the other, you will easily mistrust your natural 
strength and place all your confidence in God. If, 
then, you nourish your soul with the daily Bread of 
the Lord, your spiritual mind will gradually see more 
clearly the things of God; your will expand with gen- 
erosity, and your heart be inflamed with love for 
God.” 

Shortly after Webster Van Deever had become 
Webster Joseph Van Deever, and had begun to ap- 
preciate the value of frequent Communion he was de- 
lighted to hear that the Venerable Vicar- Apostolic of 
Brownsville would soon arrive at Bohia to administer 
to him and to others of the faithful the Sacrament of 
Confirmation. While he was preparing himself for 
this, the Mexicans, who had learned to love and re- 
vere him during his residence in their midst, under 
pretext of making suitable preparations to welcome 
the Bishop, devised a grand ovation for their common 
benefactor. Among them were many who had not 
been to church since their baptism or marriage, but 
who, stirred by Van Deever’s fervor, now resolved 


1 68 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


to imitate his example. So, on the day preceding His 
Lordship’s arrival the Mexicans began to pour into 
the village from all sides. Some came on their ponies* 
others on mules and donkeys, others in cumbersome 
wagons, while whole families walked fifty miles or 
more to take part in the demonstration, and assist at 
the solemn ceremony. 

It was, indeed, a day not easily to be forgotten, 
bringing to the minds of many the history of the early 
triumphs of the Church in Texas. The venerable 
bishop, who knew by experience the joys and trials of 
a missionary, declared, at the dinner-table, “ Since the 
time when the Americans were invited to settle in 
the province over one hundred years ago, I believe 
there has never been such religious enthusiasm among 
the Mexicans as we have witnessed here to-day.” 

On their return from escorting the bishop to the 
train the following morning Van Deever turned to 
Andy with moist eyes. 

“ I have gone through much in the past eleven 
months, but I would not exchange the happiness I 
now feel for anything this side of heaven. If only 
Margaret Redmond were here with me to share it ! I 
little thought when I left the University two years 
ago or even when I went to the coast a year ago that 
there was such joy in store for me.” 

“ Indeed,” said Andy, and there were tears in his 
own kind old eyes, “ we have many things to be thank- 
ful for.” 

“ I don’t understand how God can be so lavish in 
His goodness to me,” said Van Deever. 


AN ARDENT NEOPHYTE 


169 


“ Because you have shown good will,” said Andy. 
“ You followed the light of truth when you saw it. 
There are too many, like Pilate, to turn away from 
truth. If they did not, the evidences of God’s good- 
ness would be far more manifest.” 


CHAPTER XX 


THE CONVENT 

T TPON their arrival in Baltimore the Redmonds re- 
^ ceived a most cordial welcome from all their 
relatives. Of many of her kindred Margaret had 
never heard, and so was surprised and pleased to meet 
so many people at the family reunion held at the Wil- 
son residence. All vied with one another in express- 
ing their sympathy to Mrs. Redmond in her illness, 
and assured her that she would certainly recover her 
health in Baltimore. Having heard from Mrs. Wilson 
of Margaret’s pluck and energy, they regarded her as 
a sort of heroine and were enthusiastic in their af- 
fection and admiration. If Margaret had any regrets 
at leaving Chicago, ample compensation was offered 
her in the delightful parties and entertainments that 
were now prepared in her honor. 

When she received Genevieve’s first letter, which 
told her of the sacrifices Webster Van Deever had 
willingly made for her sake, she realized how unjust 
she had been, and shed bitter tears of sorrow and com- 
passion. She would have written to him at once, but 
she knew nothing of his whereabouts. Again and 
again she urged Genevieve to set her ingenious wits to 
work to find trace of him. In her distress she made a 
novena to St. Anthony, the patron of all things lost. 

170 


THE CONVENT 


171 

But this time Genevieve failed her utterly. “ If 
the earth had opened and swallowed him alive he 
could not have disappeared more effectually,” wrote 
her friend. Even St. Anthony, who is usually so 
prompt and obliging, seemed deaf to his suppliant’s 
request. 

As was predicted, Mrs. Redmond rallied percepti- 
bly. With the evident improvement in her mother’s 
condition, Margaret’s longing for Chicago became 
stronger every day. After being entertained on all 
sides for five weeks, they finally arranged to depart 
in the last week of May. 

But when the time came Mrs. Redmond’s strength 
suddenly failed. Since the attack of the grippe she 
had been quite feeble; now an affection of the heart 
supervened and her condition became critical. The 
doctors looked grave and held a consultation — the 
priest was sent for and administered the last Sacra- 
ments. 

Mrs. Redmond alone maintained her composure, 
although her many friends looked grave and troubled. 
It was Mrs. Wilson who informed her sister of the 
slight chance there was for her recovery. 

She smiled serenely and clasped her hands together. 

“ I shall not be obliged to return to Chicago, then ! 
May God’s holy will be done ! ” 

Poor Margaret could not restrain her tears, but 
knelt beside the bed, weeping bitterly. 

“ Don’t cry, my darling. I am going to join your 
father, gladly, joyfully. I will tell him all you have 
been to me — I have thanked God every day of my life 


1 72 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


that He gave you to us. When I am gone, do not 
take what is left of me away — let me stay with the 
old people in the family lot here. Dear child, I am 
only going a little in advance. Soon we shall be 
united and no Van Deever can ever come between us.” 

She touched her daughter’s head caressingly a few 
moments. 

“ I want you to go back to dear St. Mary’s when I 
am gone — I consecrated you to the Sacred Heart, so 
perhaps Our Lord will deign to number you among 
the servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Try, 
at any rate, and if you have the vocation — ” 

Her gentle voice failed her. 

“ I want you to kiss me good-by — : just as you 
used to kiss me when you left for school in the morn- 
ing. That is it! Now I am content! I bless you, 
my dear child, with the abundance of a mother’s love ! 
May God bless you with the blessing that a good 
mother can not give ! ” Her face lit up with an an- 
gelic smile. 

“ I see the heavens open ! I see your father, Mar- 
garet ! ” she exclaimed, as if in an ecstasy. “ The 
Sacred Heart of Jesus welcomes me! His Mother is 
at His side ! His angels come to receive my soul ! I 
come, I come!” she cried faintly, raising her feeble 
arms. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, into your hands 
I commend my spirit ! ” and dropping one hand on 
Margaret’s bowed head she gave her soul to God. 

For weeks after her mother’s death, Margaret was 
melancholy and depressed. Her people did all they 


THE CONVENT 


173 


could to comfort her, but her loss was so sudden and 
so unexpected that it crushed her for the time being 
— a weight she was not able to bear. She realized 
all that her mother had been to her, and felt her loss 
most keenly. Even the greatest saints felt the ills of 
life, and Jesus Himself wept at the grave of Lazarus. 
Though she had been a faithful daughter, and there 
was nothing on her conscience with which she might 
reproach herself, yet she suffered now an agony of 
desolation, none the less keen because it was borne in 
resignation to the divine will. In this crisis she re- 
ceived a letter from Mother Lionella of St. Mary’s, 
which brought peace to her aching heart. 

During the six months she remained in Baltimore 
she made her home with her aunt and aided her in 
her household duties. Every morning she went to 
Mass in the neighboring St. Matthew’s Church and re- 
ceived Holy Communion frequently. Thus time and 
grace combined to assuage her sorrow, and perfect her 
character. As the Christmas holidays approached, 
Margaret finally yielded to the persistent invitations of 
her friend Genevieve to return to Chicago. A letter, 
containing a mysterious hint, induced her even to 
hasten the day of her departure. On her way she 
stopped over at St. Mary’s long enough to thank 
Mother Lionella for the consolation she had given her. 
She also told the good nun of her mother’s dying wish, 
and that while not sure of having a vocation, she had 
felt often that she could be happy in the religious life. 
Having no one in the world with claims on her, she 
would, therefore, with Mother Lionella’s consent, dis- 


174 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


pose of her few belongings and return to St. Mary’s. 
Perhaps God would condescend to allow her to dedi- 
cate her life to His service. Knowing the strength 
of Margaret’s character and her well-balanced brain, 
Mother Lionella felt that she would indeed be a wor- 
thy nun if she felt called to the life, and gave her 
every encouragement to enter, on trial at any rate. 

On her return to Chicago, Margaret learned some- 
thing of the great surprise which Genevieve had in 
store for her. After greeting her affectionately, and 
without waiting to indulge in much chatter, Genevieve 
drew an envelope from her pocket and handed it to 
her friend. 

“ Read it ! ” she said. 

Margaret took the envelope, looked at it as if to 
divine its secret, then opened it suspiciously, while 
Genevieve with smiling lips, impatiently repeated her 
command. 

“ Oh, you rogue ! ” exclaimed Margaret, dropping 
the envelope and throwing her arms about her friend 
while she kissed her heartily. Then picking up the 
note again, she read aloud : 

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Harty 
request the honor of your presence 
at the marriage of their daughter 
Genevieve Agnes 
to 

Mr. Francis Reginald Hingston 
Tuesday morning, January thirteenth 
One thousand nine hundred and three 


THE CONVENT 


175 


at nine o’clock 
St. Timothy’s Church 
Chicago, 111. 

“ And you are to be bridesmaid, Margaret ! ” de- 
clared Genevieve. “ The ceremony was to have taken 
place in September, but we postponed it until after the 
holidays just to have you with us.” 

“ O Genevieve, how good of you! ” said Margaret. 
“ It is such a surprise. I never thought of you in 
connection with Mr. Hingston or anybody else. I 
wish you joy,” she added then, with great earnestness, 
“ and I will pray that Our Lord will shower the bless- 
ings on your life which you so richly deserve. But,” 
she added, with concern, “ do you think — I mean can 
I be bridesmaid while mourning for my mother? ” 

“ I kept the news from you because I was so anxious 
to surprise you,” said Genevieve, “ but I thought of 
this before. I asked Father Dinneen, and he said that, 
under the circumstances, you would not be lacking in 
respect for your mother’s memory if you did your old 
friend this favor.” 

“ In that case I’ll be more than delighted,” said Mar- 
garet, gently. 

“ And it may serve as the preparation for a more 
elaborate ceremony later on, when Webster Van Dee- 
ver returns,” said Genevieve, mischievously. 

In spite of her efforts at self-possession, the tears 
stood in Margaret’s eyes and her face was very pale. 

“ Poor Webster ! ” she said, in a low tone. “ How 
I misjudged him! How noble, how unselfish he was! 


176 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


Something has happened to him — I do not think we 
will ever hear from him again. Besides,” she added, 
“ I have tried to think of the future my mother would 
have chosen for me. Carrying out her last request I 
shall return to Monroe after your marriage. Life 
within the dear convent may prove to me that I really 
have a vocation : perhaps that is why all human props 
are being taken from me.” 

Genevieve could not speak, but with tears streaming 
down her cheeks, kissed her* dear friend again and 
again. In her New Year’s greeting Mother Lionella 
again urged Margaret “ like a dove in the clefts of 
the rock, to seek refuge from the storms of the world 
within the convent walls.” Her voice then was the 
will of God, and as soon as her small property was dis- 
posed of and Genevieve married, Margaret set out for 
St. Mary’s-on-the-Raisin, confident of finding rest and 
peace in the company of one who had often been her 
consoler in her childhood days. 

On the following feast of Purification, Margaret 
Redmond took up the duties of a postulant. She was 
grave and reserved — a great contrast to her light- 
hearted associates, who, once the pangs of homesick- 
ness had worn away, were exuberantly happy at the 
thought of becoming spouses of Christ. Margaret 
had drained her cup of sorrow with the Master in 
Gethsemane, and now seemed to share with Him the 
consolation of ministering angels. By the sweetness 
of her ways, and her exactness in following the daily 
exercises, she soon won the admiration and affection 
of the entire community. 


THE CONVENT 


177 


Rising every morning at five o’clock, the postulants 
and novices make their meditation in common with 
the community, and then assist at Mass and receive 
Holy Communion. After thanksgiving or prayer in 
private for another half hour, they repair to the re- 
fectory for breakfast, which is taken in silence. One 
hour is then given to manual labor, sweeping and dust- 
ing the convent, making the beds and washing the 
dishes. Then follow a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, 
the recitation of the Rosary and the Little Office, the 
Way of the Cross, a spiritual reading, and a confer- 
ence by the mistress of novices. In the afternoon 
the aspirants again pay a visit to the Blessed Sacra- 
ment, recite the rest of the Little Office of our blessed 
Lady, and make a private spiritual reading and med- 
itation. During the hour of recreation after dinner 
and supper, the merry laughter of the aspirants re- 
echoes through the halls and corridors, and, in the ab- 
sence of the novice mistress, at times rivals the more 
noisy recreations of the boarders. With the excep- 
tion of Thursdays and extraordinary recreation days, 
this is the daily life, which Margaret described elo- 
quently to her old friend. 


13 


CHAPTER XXI 


RESTITUTION 

TX7HEN the time arrived for Webster Van Deever 
* ^ to dispose of his stock, he found that the expe- 
rience he had gained and the acquaintances he had 
formed in the Chicago office were now of great ad- 
vantage in discovering the most favorable time for 
shipping, as well as in securing the highest price for his 
cattle. After he had paid all his expenses and bal- 
anced his accounts he found a net gain of twenty per 
cent, on his investment. Though this was smaller 
than the gain in the Chicago office, the young man 
was content. 

“ It has cost me very little labor,” he said, “ and no 
qualms of conscience. Besides,” he added, “ this life 
in Texas is a wonderful tonic. It has taught me to 
take an interest in mankind.” 

The one harassing thought, the one that was ever 
present, was that he had now been an entire year away 
from Chicago and that he had heard no word from 
Margaret Redmond, nor could his lawyer seem to dis- 
cover any trace of her. 

“ I don’t see anything strange in that,” said Andy, 
“ for you can’t tell how you have been misrepresented 
to her. But I have no doubt that if she once cared 
for you, she does so still. One of her character does 
i 7 8 


RESTITUTION 


179 

not fall in love easily — and when she does her love is 
the kind that sticks.” 

“ Andy, you give me so much encouragement,” said 
Webster Van Deever, delight in his tones. “ I have 
never told you, acquainted as you are with all my af- 
fairs, one of the chief reasons why I must find Miss 
Redmond. I discovered a certain paragraph in our 
family history the day we left Chicago. While I was 
still at the University, Philip Redmond, the young 
lady’s father, was a Chicago broker, and for a time 
conducted a successful business in the very office we 
occupied last year. During the crisis he borrowed a 
hundred thousand dollars from Jenkins, my father’s 
agent, to cover an investment and save himself from 
financial loss. Instead of giving him an honest deal, 
it was the very chance that dad and Jenkins had been 
waiting for. They pushed him to the wall, foreclosed 
on him, confiscated his property, and finally took pos- 
session. All this to give me a start in life. Philip 
Redmond died of a broken heart, and left his family 
penniless.” 

“ There’s neither luck nor blessing on that kind of 
work,” said Andy, earnestly. 

“ I think dad has partly discovered that,” said Web- 
ster Van Deever, grimly. “ The rest of the story you 
know, Andy — at least almost all of it. When I met 
Miss Redmond first she exercised a great fascination 
over me. I went to the coast to try to get rid of the 
thought of her, but couldn’t. When I first engaged 
her to work for us she recognized the office as her 
father’s, and then in explanation of her emotion, told 


180 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

me of his sufferings and of how he had been brought 
to his grave by unscrupulous rivals. My admiration 
for her increased as I learned to know her more inti- 
mately. I began to study her faith, and I was on the 
point of joining the Church when my father arrived. 
You know what happened then. Now, though I may 
never hope to win Miss Redmond, I feel bound to 
make restitution to her and to her family, as far as lies 
in my power, even if I was not a party to the crime 
and profited little by it.” 

“ God will reward you for your generosity and 
good-will by blessing your marriage to her,” said 
Andy, in heartfelt tones. 

“ Since you’re so sure,” said Van Deever, “ how 
would it be if you went to Chicago and tried to find 
Miss Redmond and her mother for me? I have the 
money ready, and whether she is willing to marry me 
or not, I want to make restitution. I dread the idea 
of sharing in the curse of a sin that cries to heaven for 
vengeance.” 

“ I think I’ve a better plan than that,” said Andy. 
“ I’m a bit too old to be making love to a charming 
girl, and yet love is the best detective. Jenkins is in 
New York, and you have nothing to fear from him, so 
I think you ought to go yourself. I’ll be glad to go 
with you and call on old friends. There’s one we’ll 
both miss, and that’s Father Morrin. God rest him, 
the papers say he wore himself out for his people.” 

This suggestion pleased Van Deever, and he re- 
solved to set out the next day, which they did, fol- 
lowed by Padre Marino’s blessing and good wishes. 


RESTITUTION 


181 


“ Before doing anything else I’d look up that Miss 
Harty, who was Miss Redmond’s friend,” said Andy, 
shrewdly. “ And then perhaps, Father Dinneen, who 
was Miss Redmond’s pastor, and who, I understand, 
has been made pastor of Father Morrin’s church.” 

Van Deever did not like to confess, even to him- 
self, how stupid this suggestion of Andy’s made him 
feel. He could not understand why Miss Harty’s 
name had not occurred to him before. As soon as 
they arrived at the hotel, Van Deever consulted the 
city directory. To his disappointment neither the 
Redmonds nor Genevieve Harty were to be found 
mentioned among the residents. But he discovered, 
with some satisfaction, that the Harty family still 
lived at the house where he had brought Genevieve one 
Sunday afternoon over a year before. 

When he arrived there soon after, Mrs. Harty 
looked at him rather suspiciously, and expressed her 
surprise that one who professed to be an old friend 
did not know that Genevieve had been married four 
months previously. 

Van Deever then explained that he had only just re- 
turned to the city after an absence of thirteen months, 
and that he had agreeable news to communicate to 
her. Mrs. Harty finally informed him that he might 
find her by calling on Mrs. Hingston on Jackson 
Boulevard. Van Deever was too preoccupied to take 
any notice of the number to which he had been di- 
rected, until the automobile stopped before the very 
residence he had formerly called his home. The 
thought that Margaret’s old friend lived here inspired 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


182 

him with confidence, though many were the conflict- 
ing emotions that welled up in his soul. 

Mrs. Hingston was seated at the window reading a 
letter when Webster Van Deever arrived. The stop- 
ping of the automobile aroused her, and looking out 
she recognized the young man instantly. A cry of un- 
bounded surprise passed her lips — then hastening to 
the front door, she threw it open hurriedly and wel- 
comed the young man with both hands extended : 

“You!” she exclaimed in sheer delight. Then, 
with a touch of her mischievous manner : “ In the 

absence of the father, permit me to extend a cordial 
welcome to the prodigal son ! ” 

They shook hands heartily, and he followed her 
into the big room he remembered so well. 

“ Where in the world have you been ? What hap- 
pened ? ” she demanded instantly. “ Margaret and I 
were fairly aching to meet you and talk things over, 
but all our efforts to find you have been in vain.” 

“You tried to find me?” asked Van Deever. 
“ That’s odd. I have had my lawyers search all Chi- 
cago for the Redmonds.” 

“ Honestly ? ” cried Genevieve. “ It would have 
been an easier matter if you had tried to locate me.” 

“ I never thought of you until my good old Andy 
spoke of you a short while ago,” said Van Deever; 
“ and indeed this may have been due to the fact that I 
felt you would influence Margaret against me after 
that unfortunate scene with my father.” 

“ Why ! ” exclaimed Genevieve. “ How could you 
imagine anything like that! But pardon me a mo- 


RESTITUTION 


183 


ment,” she added, “ I must telephone Mr. Hingston 
— he has been so interested in all I could tell him 
about you and Margaret.” When she hung up the re- 
ceiver she found Van Deever full of inquiries con- 
cerning Miss Redmond. But before giving him the 
information he so ardently desired Genevieve resolved 
to discover if his sentiments were unchanged. 

“ Margaret is very well,” she answered, evasively, 
“ but she is out of town at present. You have heard, 
I daresay, that she went to Baltimore with her mother 
last year, in the hopes that the latter might fully re- 
cover her health. Mrs. Redmond died, however, and 
was buried there in the family lot.” 

“I heard nothing, nothing!” said Van Deever, ve- 
hemently. “ I am sorry to learn that, very, very 
sorry. And I sympathize with Margaret, for I know 
what she and her mother were to each other. I have 
been living in an out-of-the-way spot in Texas, where 
I joined the Church since I left,” he explained. 

“ Margaret came back to Chicago to be my brides- 
maid,” said Genevieve, taking compassion on his evi- 
dent distress. “ After that she went to St. Mary’s — * 
the convent where she was educated.” 

“ Don’t you see how you are torturing me ? ” ex- 
claimed Van Deever. “ Tell me where she is now. 
In the convent, you said? She has entered the con- 
vent ? Then I must be content to make reparation for 
the wrong done to her and to her people by my 
father—” 

“ I’m afraid Margaret would not be satisfied with 
such a settlement.” 


184 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ What more can I do?” he said, despondently. 
“ Suggest anything else you think — ” 

“ I remember that when Margaret offered you her 
Bible you refused any gift from her that did not in- 
clude the donor,” said Genevieve, roguishly. “ And 
I’m afraid that is just the way Margaret will feel to- 
ward you. She won’t want to accept anything from 
you that does not include — the giver! Wait!” as 
Van Deever stared at her in a dazed way, “ you must 
read this letter, which came to me this morning. You 
will then understand just what I mean.” 

Webster Van Deever took the letter with trembling 
fingers. Genevieve’s information had stunned him — 
he felt too miserable and unhappy to glean any conso- 
lation from her laughing manner. With some per- 
turbation he straightened out the sheet, and read the 
words inscribed upon it. 

“ Dear Genevieve : — Mother Lionella and I had 
a long and serious talk last evening. She told me that 
if I felt so disposed, she would allow me to take the 
habit on August fifteenth. 

“ I have been living in a world of doubt for the 
past month, and her words have proved to me, posi- 
tively, that I am not destined for the religious life. It 
is a happy, peaceful life, God knows, and I dread the 
very thought of going out into the world, battling 
with its many temptations, and, worse, still, wrestling 
a living from it, which is so hard on a girl who is all 
alone, as I am. But this consideration would never 
permit me to pledge myself to a vocation to which God 


RESTITUTION 


185 


has not called me, and for which I feel myself abso- 
lutely unworthy. I can not give Him an undivided 
service. I must face the battle once more. 

“ This morning I went to Monsignor and told him 
my whole history, and especially the entire state of my 
mind since coming here. He has been spiritual di- 
rector of the convent for nearly fifty years, and is re- 
vered as a saint by the Sisters. I am afraid I was 
very much agitated — for I fear the future so much ! 

“ ‘ Be calm, my dear child,’ she said, 4 you are not 
called to the convent. When God has tried you suf- 
ficiently He will reward you — both you and this man 
of whom you speak. He will bless you both for your 
fidelity/ 

“ Dear Genevieve, I have never breathed a prayer 
for those dear to me that I have not included Webster 
Van Deever’s name. I can not forget him. I know 
that wherever he is, or whatever has happened to him, 
that he is still noble, unselfish, and true to me. That 
I will hear from him, I am positive — for God will 
not keep us apart forever. 

“ I shall let you know my arrangements later. 
Now that I have decided, I must plan for the future, 
but of course I want to consult with Mother Lionella 
first, and be guided by her wherever possible. Until 
then, when you think of me, breathe a little prayer to 
the Sacred Heart for your 

• “ Margaret Redmond.” 

When Mr. Hingston entered the parlor a few min- 
utes later, he was astonished to find that both his wife 
and Webster Van Deever had been weeping. 


CHAPTER XXII 


WEDDING-BELLS 

/V FTER Webster Van Deever had discussed the 
^ ** happenings of the past year with Genevieve and 
her husband, he expressed his pleasure at finding them 
in possession of the house which he had hoped would 
be Margaret’s home. He thanked them over and 
over for all they had done for her, and for him, too, 
and gave them a brief description of his new ranch in 
Texas. 

He then declared his intention of setting out imme- 
diately for the historic town in Michigan, which 
prides itself on possessing one of the finest educa- 
tional institutions in the land. Both Genevieve and 
her husband were cordially sincere in wishing him the 
success which they felt he deserved, and as they ac- 
companied him to the door, Genevieve remarked 
laughingly : 

“If you invite us to the wedding I shall forgive you 
for not letting us hear from you for a year.” 

“ I hope I may presume on Margaret’s permission 
to extend an invitation now,” replied the young man, 
with a smile of pleasure that lighted up his whole 
countenance. When he returned to the hotel Van 
Deever was in such good humor that Andy understood 
the cause immediately. 

1 86 


WEDDING-BELLS 187 

“ Thanks be to God, you have found her ! ” he re- 
marked, fervently. 

“ Yes, Andy,” said Van Deever. “ I found her, al- 
though she isn’t in Chicago. And I have also found 
that everything is all right.” 

“ I knew it would turn out like this,” said Andy, 
shaking his master’s hand. “ The Lord is not to be 
outdone in generosity.” 

“ Thank you, Andy,” said Van Deever. “ I fear 
I shall never be able to show my gratitude sufficiently 
to you for your sympathy and encouragement, but at 
least I shall have the pleasure of seeing you best man 
at the wedding. Charge everything you buy while 
here to my account, and see that your new suit will be 
one that will not grow threadbare soon. I’m going to 
leave for Monroe to-night — I can’t leave any too 
soon. You can do as you please until you hear from 
me. Visit your old friends, but leave word as to your 
whereabouts at the old home on Jackson Boulevard, 
where Mrs. Hingston, Margaret’s dear friend, now 
lives, so that I will be able to reach you.” 

At an early hour the following morning Van Dee- 
ver arrived in the Floral City. He had learned the 
value of frequent reception of Holy Communion — 
so he resolved to assist at Mass and receive before the 
interview with Margaret. He accordingly went to 
St. Mary’s Church, which is near the hotel and oppo- 
site the convent. After going to confession, he knelt 
in a front pew in one of the side aisle, reflecting on 
the goodness of God and the wonderful ways of His 
providence. 


1 88 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


A little while later a Sister and a young lady entered 
the church and in a few moments the priest came out 
on the altar to say Mass. Van Deever was too occu- 
pied with his devotions to notice that it was a Mass of 
requiem, much less did he imagine that any one could 
be near in whom he was interested. Imagine, there- 
fore, the surprise of the two young people, who ad- 
vanced from opposite sides of the church to kneel at 
the altar rail! The saints of God have been favored 
at times, with raptures, and on other occasions have 
had visions. At the anniversary Mass of requiem 
which was being said for Mrs. Redmond, both Web- 
ster and Margaret were positive they experienced 
both. 

Good Mother Lionella grasped the situation imme- 
diately. She whispered a few words to Margaret 
when Mass was over, and then approached Van 
Deever. 

“ Margaret received your telegram this morning. 
I wish you would come with us to the convent for 
breakfast.” 

Breakfast was a failure as far as Margaret was 
concerned — she could make but a faint effort at eat- 
ing, but her lover was almost eloquent, and ate like a 
famished wolf. Good Mother Lionella poured the 
coffee, sympathizing with the young people in her 
heart, but unable to set them at their ease, since every- 
thing she said or did seemed to embarrass them the 
more. 

“ The poor things ! May God bless them — but 
it’s the first time in my life I ever felt awkward 


WEDDING-BELLS 189 

trying to make others happy,” said the good nun, re- 
proaching herself, as they left the breakfast table. 

As they strolled through the college park, the flush 
faded from Margaret’s cheeks and she gradually re- 
gained her composure. Van Deever had resolved to 
be extremely careful — the slightest blunder might 
hurt his suit now, and he could not afford that, he 
felt, while Margaret was so overwhelmed by this 
answer to her prayers that she might be able to de- 
cide her future, so awed as she seemed to trace the 
hand of God in her earthly destiny, that she could 
only retreat behind a barrier of silence, since speech 
seemed useless. 

They wandered, therefore, without exchanging a 
single word, to the suspension bridge which connects 
the park with the beautiful little island which here 
divides the waters of the Raisin, just before they 
begin to dance down the rapids. They crossed the 
bridge and approached a bench that stood beneath 
a spreading elm. Here they seated themselves, fac- 
ing the convent to the east, while the high tower of 
St. Michael’s Church, on the opposite bank, seemed 
like a sentinel standing guard, to ward off all enemies 
of their happiness. 

And now Margaret ventured to take a good look 
at her lover. 

“ You are very much sunburned,” she said shyly. 
“Where have you been — since then?” 

She had no need to say another word. 

“ On a ranch in Texas,” he answered. He hesi- 
tated for a moment, as if weighing a certain risk. 


190 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Had you known — perhaps you would not have 
written that precious letter which Mrs. Hingston 
showed me yesterday ? ” He spoke with great delib- 
eration, his gaze fastened imploringly upon her. 

Margaret blushed a vivid scarlet, and was silent an 
instant, staring at the ground. Then lifting her beau- 
tiful eyes to his face, she said, in firm, clear tones : 

“ I did not think you would see that letter. But — 
I would have written it though I knew you to be an 
outcast and a beggar.” 

“ Thank you, my dearest Margaret,” said Van 
Deever, his voice trembling. “ And now may I have 
the kiss which once before you refused me?” 

And thus they pledged their troth for life. 

After a while Van Deever took a ring set with a 
sparkling diamond from his pocket and slipped it on 
Margaret’s finger. 

“ The last time I spoke to you you asked me for a 
short vacation,” he said, humorously. “ I have now 
come to tell you that your vacation has expired. You 
must come back to me for life this time. If you do 
not like Texas we will find a home elsewhere. To 
win you, Margaret, has been the one absorbing 
thought of my life since that unfortunate (or shall I 
call it fortunate now?) incident at the Charity Ball.” 

To Margaret’s delight and pleasure the young man 
then proceeded to describe his Texas home in eloquent 
terms, adding that it would be a perfect paradise if 
she could induce a little band of the nuns of the Im- 
maculate Heart of Mary to accompany them, and 
open a school in Bohia for all the children of the sur- 


WEDDING-BELLS 


191 


rounding country. Now that they had found speech 
there was much to tell and hear, hidden thoughts 
and feelings to be confessed, as well as incidents to be 
related of their year of separation. 

“ How soon can we be married ? ” asked Van Dee- 
ver. 

“The banns must be published on three succes- 
sive Sundays,” explained Margaret. “ So it can be 
as soon after that as you please.” 

“ Why the delay? ” began Van Deever, in some dis- 
appointment. 

“ It is prescribed by the Church in order to discover 
whether any impediments exist,” said Margaret, 
gently, “ and though this is not necessary for us, nev- 
ertheless, it is the presage of every honorable mar- 
riage, and I believe in complying with all the rules — 
especially when we are beginning a new life together.” 

“ You are right,” agreed Van Deever. “ We shall 
have the banns published, then, in your old parish 
as well as mine on the next three Sundays.” 

So, since Margaret had no objection to offer to this 
plan they decided to be married on Tuesday, June the 
twenty-third. 

“ And the things that I need I will have made by 
the Good Shepherd nuns in Detroit,” said Margaret. 

The Angelus bell finally warned them that it was 
time to return to the convent. Mother Lionella was 
somewhat alarmed at Margaret's protracted absence, 
but when they returned, beaming with joy, and the 
good Mother saw the ring sparkling on the young 
girl’s hand, she understood, and smiled with satisfac- 


192 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


tion. They told her of the date set for the ceremony, 
whereupon Mother Lionella insisted that they obtain 
permission to be married in the convent chapel. Thus 
it came to pass that the sanctuary which had wit- 
nessed so many virgins consecrate themselves to their 
heavenly Spouse, now saw two children of God vow 
fidelity to each other in the battle of life. 

Even after the present generation has passed away, 
the students of St. Mary’s College will refer to June 
23, 1903, as a memorable day in the annals of the 
institute. During the time that intervened before her 
marriage Margaret remained at the convent as Mother 
Lionella’s guest. Webster Van Deever returned to 
Chicago, where he unblushingly monopolized Mrs. 
Kingston’s whole time and attention in selecting many 
things that both thought would please Margaret in 
her new home. 

At an early hour, before the bridegroom and the 
wedding-guests arrived from Chicago, the students 
assisted at holy Mass and received a Communion of 
devotion for the welfare of the one who had so en- 
deared herself to them. At eight o’clock they as- 
sembled again in the spacious chapel, some in the choir 
above, others in the pews below, but all most anxious 
to witness the unusual ceremony. One of the stu- 
dents, Katharine Mildred Harty, a younger sister of 
Margaret’s bosom friend, was bridesmaid, while Sis- 
ter Seraphine, Margaret’s former music-teacher, 
obtained permission to sing an Ave Maria at the Of- 
fertory. 

Words can not describe the feeling of expectancy 


WEDDING-BELLS 


193 


that was plainly visible when the grand organ began 
to peal forth the notes of Mendelssohn’s wedding- 
march. Margaret was dressed in white silk, and wore 
a veil which trailed to the floor, fastened to her hair 
with a crown of sparkling jewels. She wore, too, a 
necklace of pearls from which depended a beautiful 
gold medal of the Sacred Heart, and carried in her 
hand a bouquet of American Beauties. These she 
deposited in front of the statue of the Sacred Heart 
before advancing to the altar. The tall, well-devel- 
oped figure of the happy husband-to-be towered above 
the bride like a mighty oak as they entered the chapel, 
preceded by Miss Harty and Andy O’Regan. A mur- 
mur of admiration swept through the chapel as they 
appeared. The first glance of admiration was for 
Margaret and Webster. Then the eyes of all were 
fastened on Andy, who appeared in an entire buck- 
skin suit and carried an immense sombrero in his 
hand, while his long, silvery locks swept gracefully 
to his shoulders ! This unusual and striking spectacle 
did not escape the wondering vision of many of the 
good nuns, who later on accused themselves in chapter 
of a want of mortification of the eyes. There was 
breathless silence when the aged Monsignor pro- 
nounced the contracting parties husband and wife — 
and the ceremony proceeded with more devotion than 
is usually manifested on such occasions. 

When it was over, and they had received the con- 
gratulations of their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Webster 
Joseph Van Deever had breakfast with the venerable 
Monsignor, and then quietly departed on an extended 
wedding-tour to the Thousand Islands. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


HAPPY MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN 

T3EF0RE going on their honeymoon, Margaret ob 
tained a general free day for the pupils from 
Mother Lionella, while Webster provided an elaborate 
banquet in the college park for Sisters, students, and 
visitors. When the young man first broached this 
plan, the good nun demurred on account of the ex- 
pense, but this objection was soon overcome, and she 
entered heartily into his plans. If anything additional 
had been needed to fix the remembrance of Margaret’s 
wedding indelibly in the minds of the young ladies, 
this banquet was certainly calculated to produce that 
effect. 

Some days previous the grounds were prepared, 
and tables and benches arranged among the trees and 
shrubbery so as to face the pavilion, which had been 
gaily decorated. On the morning of the wedding-day 
the caterers arrived, with all the paraphernalia needed 
to give the scene a gala air. When everything was 
completed, a big bouquet of American Beauties was 
placed in the center of every table, and a menu at 
every plate, which was elaborately decorated and or- 
namented, and bore also the photographs of Mar- 
garet and Webster on the front cover. 

194 


HAPPY MARRIAGES 


195 


Andy O’Regan and Katharine Harty, in the ab- 
sence of the happy pair, occupied the seats of honor 
on the pavilion, with Mr. and Mrs. Hingston as the 
chief guests. One of the tables had been kept for the 
little orphan girls from the private Home which the 
Sisters maintain out of gratitude to God for preserv- 
ing them from the plague over fifty years ago. The 
college orchestra and glee club played and sang appro- 
priate selections. Thus song and laughter and music 
made all oblivious of the flight of time. 

Finally, however, toward the close of the banquet, 
when dessert had already been served, one of the lit- 
tle orphans unwittingly caused a change in the pro- 
gram. Some one had just finished a popular song, 
and the hand-clapping had barely subsided, when this 
little girl suddenly left the table around which the 
orphans were assembled, and running up the steps of 
the pavilion, climbed confidently on Andy’s knee. 

“ I know who you are now, St. Hubert! We have 
your picture in our home ! ” 

Every eye was turned upon the two, and a shout of 
applause ascended from the assemblage that rever- 
berated from the grove, and re-echoed from the op- 
posite bank of the river — reminding some of the 
older inhabitants of the town of the story their grand- 
parents had told them of the dreadful Indian war- 
cry, when the savages were lured by English gold 
during the war of 1812 to perpetuate on this very 
spot the dreadful Raisin massacre. 

The child, a little frightened, clung to Andy. 

“ Don’t be afraid, dear,” he said, in a soothing tone. 


196 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ They cheer because they feel happy — and we’re 
happy, too, aren’t we ? ” 

This interruption served to break up the formality 
of the feast. The students began to dance about the 
grounds, the Sisters gathered in little groups, while 
Genevieve introduced her husband to those of her old 
teachers who had not yet met him. The orphans fol- 
lowed their leader up to the pavilion and crowded 
around Andy, pleading with “ St. Hubert ” to tell 
them a story. The younger boarders followed, and 
some of the older ones. Andy declined, laughingly, 
to tell a story, on the plea that he didn’t know any. 

“ Please tell us the story of your master’s court- 
ship,” suggested a young lady. 

“ Yes — tell us how Webster Van Deever and Mar- 
garet Redmond came to marry,” pleaded another. 

“ They came to marry,” said Andy, “ because it was 
the holy will of God. And they are going to be happy, 
too.” 

“ But how did they meet each other and where, 
and what made them fall in love ? ” demanded another 
voice. Poor old Andy threw up his hands in de- 
spair. 

“ And how do you know I know anything about 
it ? ” he asked. 

“ Oh, we are positive of it ! ” 

“ Well, then, I can only give you a few of the 
details.” 

“ Let us hear them, let us hear them ! ” they cried, 
in chorus, and much embarrassed, Andy plunged into 
a hurried recital. 


HAPPY MARRIAGES 


197 


“ Miss Redmond was born in Chicago of splendid 
Catholic parents. Webster Van Deever was born in 
New York, coming from a stock that always pre- 
ferred the certain things of this life to the uncertain 
ones of the life to come,” he began. “ They met at 
a ball to which Miss Redmond had gone, accompanied 
by her mother and an old friend, and here the young 
lady and my master had a serious misunderstanding. 
This would have ended the matter in ninety-nine out 
of a hundred cases, but Mr. Van Deever had been 
forced to admire the Catholic girl’s beautiful charac- 
ter. So he observed her more closely and gradually 
came to respect her faith, the teachings of which he 
saw exemplified in her daily life. The more he 
learned the more he esteemed her religion for its own 
sake. 

“ Just then his father appeared on the scene, or- 
dering his son to give up the young lady immediately. 
He refused and was disinherited, and after a quarrel 
with his father’s confidential agent, which might have 
turned out disastrously, Mr. Van Deever became a 
fugitive. 

“ When the storm had blown over he came back to 
Chicago to find the young lady who had won his heart. 
Through the kindness of Mrs. Hingston, he discov- 
ered her. So we are able to celebrate a marriage to- 
day that was surely made in heaven! Let us give 
three cheers for Margaret Redmond’s influence ! ” 

They were given with a will. 

“ And now three cheers for Mr. Van Deever’s sin- 
cerity ! ” 


198 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


Again a volume of sound rent the air that made the 
good Sisters tremble. 

“ And three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Van Deever 
on their wedding-day,” persisted Andy. 

“ And, finally, three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Kings- 
ton ! ” which were given with increasing ardor. After 
which all stood up and cheered more strenuously than 
ever for Andy O’Regan. 

But at this Andy left the pavilion abruptly, escorted 
by the orphans, with the expressed intention of visit- 
ing the Home to see the picture of St. Hubert. 

Genevieve and her husband had been amused listen- 
ers to Andy’s brief description of Margaret’s influence 
and Webster’s pertinacity. They returned to Chicago 
that afternoon, and the white-haired “ St. Hubert,” a 
name which seemed inclined to stick to him, accom- 
panied them. They liked this earnest and pious old 
man and had besought him to make his home with 
them while he remained in Chicago, which would be 
until Webster and Margaret returned. 

“ Do you really believe, Andy,” said Frank Kings- 
ton, seriously, when the three were seated in the 
train — he liked nothing better than drawing the old 
man out and listening to his odd expressions — “ that 
happy marriages are made in heaven? ” 

“ I am sure of it,” said Andy. “ I’m sixty-eight 
years old, and I’ve heard some sermons during those 
years, and read some books, and made some observa- 
tions.” 

“And these lead you to this conclusion?” 


HAPPY MARRIAGES 


199 


“ They lead me to believe that God is good and 
deserving of all confidence/’ said Andy, “ and that 
amounts to the same thing. God’s care extends to the 
minutest affairs of human life. A mother, teaching 
her little one to walk, will place it at the farther end 
of the room and coax it to come to her. So God, 
creating us for heaven, places us in this valley of 
tears, and does all He can to allure us to live as His 
children during this fleeting life, so that we may be 
able to walk well in the kingdom of heaven.” 

“ That’s a nice way of looking at it,” said Frank 
Hingston, seriously. “ I never thought of it in that 
way before, Andy.” 

“ Consider the birds of the air, the lilies of the field ! 
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of 
these — and if God does so clothe the grass of the 
field and provide for the birds of the air, how much 
more is He interested in us who are made to His own 
image and likeness? Not a sparrow falls from the 
housetop, not a hair from your head, without God’s 
knowledge and consent ! Now, if God takes so much 
interest in what we call trivial matters, how much 
more must He be interested in weighty things? 

“ Some men He calls to the sublime vocation of 
administering His mercies and His blessings to man- 
kind. Some He calls to sacrifice themselves for oth- 
ers in the world. His favorite sons and daughters He 
leads to the pinnacle of perfection in the convent. 
But the vast majority are meant to sanctify them- 
selves in the state of marriage. Of this latter state I 
have a double knowledge, which came to me partly by 


200 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


experience and partly by observation. Let me tell you 
this is a difficult vocation, and the object of God’s 
daily solicitude. 

“ Out West,” continued Andy, in his quaint man- 
ner, seeing that both Genevieve and her husband were 
listening intently, “ we have horses that will trot or 
pace, and others that will canter or run admirably, 
when driven alone. But if you were so rash as to 
hitch up two of them together, they’d kick your buggy 
into kindling-wood before they had traveled a mile. 
Some horses are fast and some are slow, some are 
heavy and others are light — and so not all men and 
women are suited for every station in life. Why? 
Because He who made no two blades of grass alike, 
has made them unlike, and destined them to fit into 
a particular place in His grand plan. By doing your 
duty in a spirit of faith, and keeping your hearts free 
from contamination of the world, you prepare your- 
selves for what God has in store for you. 

“ To form a good team the horses must be suited 
to their work and pull well together. It’s much the 
same in married life. Not every man or woman who 
chance to meet will fit into God’s plan harmoniously 
when united, though they be individually called to the 
married state. They must harmonize in tastes and in 
religion. Only such can form an ideal Christian 
home. In dissimilar temperaments, the opposite ex- 
tremes of positive and negative forces are made to har- 
monize at the family hearth. On the one hand, where 
husband and wife are both decidedly positive, they will 
be apt to live too fast, or destroy the home in a pas- 


HAPPY MARRIAGES 


201 


sionate conflagration. On the other hand, where both 
are merely negative, the home is apt to be like some 
material dwellings in Tennessee, that admit both the 
sun to shine and the rain to fall on the just as well 
as the unjust within — dependent entirely on the provi- 
dence of God. In the ideal home the husband should 
furnish the brain and the brawn, and be the support 
of the home, while the wife should keep the home neat 
and trim, with well-cooked food — and a heart not 
only warm enough to cheer her own, but to glow with 
sympathy for the poor and needy. 

“ I remember/’ said Andy, in a reminiscent tone, 
“ how it was with myself. My dear wife, God rest 
her soul, had been a little hardened by the trials she 
had encountered, for she had been thrown on her own 
resources very early. We lived happily together for 
forty years, and I remember I often wished she would 
be more affectionate toward the little ones. She 
brought up her children in the fear of the Lord — 
and she kept a strap behind the door to inculcate the 
Lesson of the Ten Commandments. Well, thank God, 
two of our daughters, who never dared show her their 
love, or give her their confidence, are now serving God 
as Little Sisters of the Poor. 

“ Yes, even though the husband is a good provider 
and the wife a model mistress, the spirit of sacrifice 
and mutual forbearance are necessary. Both husband 
and wife must take the same general view of things. 
So that their actual sacrifices in later days may not 
be too burdensome they should agree in the begin- 
ning where and how they shall live. And they ought 


202 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


to be fitted besides to move on the same social plane 
and have the same social inclinations. 

“ The first relationship we contract on entering life 
is that of religion. In time of prosperity some may be 
tempted to relegate God to the second place or even to 
forget Him — but all must return to Him when life 
is over. And what will an undutiful child of God say 
when it finds that it has sold its own soul and the 
souls of its children by an unchristian and unhallowed 
union? I once read of a husband who harnessed his 
wife to the plow when one of his horses died — and 
that has always reminded me of the real burden the 
Catholic party assumes when entering on a mixed mar- 
riage. ,, 

“ Margaret would never do that,” said Genevieve, 
confidently ; “ no matter how much she was attached 
to any one.” 

“ How few in her circumstances would have hesi- 
tated,” remarked Andy. “ Many have succumbed to 
lesser temptations. And if she had not spurned Mr. 
Van Deever and all he had to offer until she could 
bring the influence of her religion to bear on him 
would she have the happiness that is hers to-day? 
Could she ever hope to exercise the influence over her 
husband that she now does? Why, it was that lofty, 
spiritual nature which attracted him, bound him, and 
will hold him a willing captive as long as he lives. 
And I predict,” he added, after a moment’s reflection, 
“ that the same influence will yet be felt by the father, 
who at present is vainly trying to forget that he ever 
had a son.” 


CHAPTER XXIV, 


A TEXAS HOME 

TNSTEAD of spending their honeymoon entirely 
A among the pleasant surroundings of the St. Law- 
rence, the Van Deevers came upon a transatlantic ves- 
sel at Montreal, and so decided to take a trip to 
Europe. It was late in September when they finally 
returned to the States. On their way to the South- 
west they visited St. Mary’s-on-the-Raisin, and were 
grieved to learn that the saintly Mother Lionella had 
passed away, and that the Texas foundation would 
not be undertaken by her 1 successor. Desirous of 
showing their appreciation of all that the good Sis- 
ters had done for Margaret, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dee- 
ver devoted the money which Webster considered due 
to the Redmonds, to the erection of Lionella Hall. 
This palatial building, devoted to music, with its hun- 
dred rooms for private practice, was erected in con- 
nection with the new college building. 

After spending some time with their friends in 
Chicago, the Van Deevers proceeded on their journey 
to their distant Texas home, by way of St. Louis, New 
Orleans, and Galveston. About the middle of No- 
vember, when Andy, who had gone on some time 
previously, assured his master that all the improve- 
ments had been completed, they finally arrived in 
203 


204 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


Bohia, where they received a cordial welcome from 
the citizefis. 

As on the occasion of the Right Reverend Bishop’s 
visit, the whole population of the town and surround- 
ing country was assembled at the depot when the train 
arrived. A neighboring band had been engaged, and 
as the train came to a stop, a delegation of ladies and 
gentlemen stepped forward to welcome Mr. and Mrs. 
Van Deever, and escorted them to the large touring 
car in which Andy and Padre Marino accompanied 
them to their home. An escort of Mexicans in gala 
attire preceded the machine, several neighbors fol- 
lowed in their own automobiles, while a promiscuous 
crowd brought up the rear of the procession. 

At the Van Deever home a banquet was served on 
the spacious veranda for the guests of honor, while 
an elaborate fete was given the Mexicans on the ex- 
tensive lawns. Even at a late hour that night, the 
merry laughter of the guests, the music of the band, 
and the fireworks, would have given a visitor from 
the North the impression of an ideal Fourth of July 
celebration. 

“ I have provided copies of your spiritual ancestors 
for every room,” remarked Webster to Margaret the 
next morning, as they proceeded to view the house 
together. 

“ In remembrance of your first blunder?” laughed 
Margaret, and then she gave an exclamation of sur- 
prise. “ Why, where did you get that oil painting of 
me?” she ejaculated, as she came upon full length 


A TEXAS HOME 


205 

portraits of herself and her husband, hanging side by 
side. 

“ Oh, that is a little surprise which Genevieve en- 
abled me to prepare for you,” said Van Deever, in 
great delight. “ And there is still another,” he con- 
tinued, as he conducted her to a private oratory which 
the Bishop had kindly procured for them at the sug- 
gestion of dear old Padre Marino. 

“ Oh, how lovely ! ” cried Margaret, kissing her hus- 
band, to emphasize her pleasure. When they had 
gone over the house together and stepped out on the 
veranda that faced a beautiful private park, Webster 
slipped his arm about his wife’s waist, and said with 
emotion : 

“ I trust we may be very happy here, my dear Mar- 
garet.” 

“ Please God ! ” said Margaret, gently, “ and that 
we may be able to do some good to show that we 
appreciate His great bounty.” 

And then as they went down on the lawn she stopped 
in some surprise. 

“ What birds sing like that? ” she asked. “ I have 
never heard them before.” 

“ Mocking-birds,” said Webster, happy in answer- 
ing her questions. “ Pm sure they are almost as 
numerous in the South as the saucy sparrows in Chi- 
cago. A pleasant thing occurred here last spring while 
we were preparing for his Lordship’s reception. The 
children of the confirmation class were rehearsing a 
hymn to Our Lady, which they were to sing during 


206 MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 

the services. As repairs were in progress at the 
church, Padre Marino brought them over here to re- 
hearse on the veranda where he could accompany them 
on the piano. I happened to be near one day when 
they began their rehearsal. While I was listening, 
standing in the shade of the cedars, I noticed a mock- 
ing-bird perching on that dwarfed banana-tree. With 
its little head tilted gently on one side, the bird listened 
intently until the children had repeated a stanza of the 
hymn three times. It had then evidently caught the 
air, and without waiting for an invitation, it sang the 
notes with wonderful accuracy, adding variations of 
its own that made the children stare. It finally con- 
cluded with a neat bow, as if to say ‘ Beat that, if you 
can ! ’ ” 

“ How wonderful ! ” said Margaret. “ I wish I 
could send Genevieve one of those little songsters. 
She would be so glad to get it.” 

“ You could send her a carload of them,” returned 
her husband. “ But they say if you want a mocking- 
bird to sing in captivity you must take it when it is 
very young, before it has tasted the delights of free- 
dom.” 

“ Everything is so big, so open,” said Margaret, 
unable to keep the pleasure which she felt from her 
face and voice. “ I am sure you couldn’t have chosen 
a more delightful spot for a home.” 

“ You’ll like it in the spring when the magnolias 
are in bloom, and the air is scented with the fragrance 
of countless flowers and roses. Do you see that big 
bush back of the catalpa trees? It is a cluster of an- 


A TEXAS HOME 


20 7 


cient roses, with branches as thick as my arm, that 
ramify until they terminate in thousands of buds. 
The cluster is over a hundred feet long, and more than 
thirty feet high. When it bloomed last spring it re- 
sembled an immense bower, literally covered from end 
to end with bright, sweet-smelling blossoms. . . . 

I hope you won’t feel lonesome in this big house,” 
he added, as they turned to retrace their steps. 

“ Do not fear,” laughed Margaret. “ I should feel 
at home with you anywhere,” she added affectionately. 
“ Besides,” she continued, “ I shall have much to do. 
I mean to interest myself personally in the servants, 
and hope to make and keep them all good, practical 
Catholics.” 

“ Oh ! ” said her husband, “ and what do you intend 
to do?” 

“ The best I can,” said his wife. “ Masters are re- 
sponsible to a great extent for the conduct of those 
under them. I intend to help our people lead better 
lives and see that they understand and practice their 
religion.” 

“ You will have some trouble, Margaret,” said her 
husband, thoughtfully, “ though I haven’t any doubt 
but that you will succeed.” 

Margaret had learned by this time that the Mexicans 
were quite mistrustful of the white population, whom 
they call “ Americans,” and regard as foreigners. She 
had resolved that in settling among them she would 
leave nothing undone to win their hearts. She mani- 
fested the interest she felt on every occasion, and yet, 
for a long time, she could not break through their 


208 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


reserve. They had not found it so difficult with her 
husband. He had settled there while still a non-Cath- 
olic, had rebuilt their church for them, and joined 
them freely in their prayers and devotions. They felt, 
in one way, as if he had identified himself with them, 
and they honored him as if he were a sort of prince. 
Though they gave Margaret a little of the honor that 
they lavished upon Webster Van Deever, they treated 
her with more aloofness. She was a Catholic, and so 
roused no particular attention by the practice of her 
religion. Then, her position as mistress of the house 
brought her into close contact with the Mexican serv- 
ants, and these had never been restrained or questioned 
in any way by Webster. 

So she was forced to choose her position at the out- 
set. She must allow matters to drift as they had been 
doing under the bachelor regime of an easy-going 
master, or do her duty as the mistress of her husband’s 
home and a conscientious Catholic matron with the 
souls of others under her immediate care. There 
could be but one choice for Margaret. 

Mrs. Rana, the housekeeper, especially, rebelled 
against Margaret’s management of domestic affairs. 
Mexicans in Texas are, as a rule, ignorant, careless, 
and superstitious. Mrs. Rana had had entire charge, 
and was jealous of her authority. She resented Mar- 
garet’s appearance, and sought for a pretext to turn 
the other servants against her. Margaret’s first ex- 
pressed wish was that, as all were Catholics, they 
should make a practice of family devotions, and in- 
sisted that the servants be present. Then she said that 


A TEXAS HOME 


209 


she would instruct the children of the ranch in cate- 
chism for an hour every day. Presently she began 
to visit the older folks at their homes. But her sweet- 
ness and kindness could not avail against the bitter 
spirit that was working against her under the surface, 
and which she felt, yet could not fathom. Fortu- 
nately, at this really critical time, a few incidents oc- 
curred which opened their eyes. 

Mrs. Rana and another woman who had done much 
to create antagonism against their mistress, were taken 
suddenly and dangerously ill. Day after day Mar- 
garet visited them, and saw that they had the best of 
care — nor did she hesitate to follow up her cheering, 
kindly words with gentle ministrations, and even pre- 
pared dainties to tempt their appetites when once they 
had begun to mend. They could not be ungrateful. 
They saw Margaret in a new light, and they could not 
do enough for her nor say enough in her praise. By 
the end of the Christmas holidays she had indeed won 
the hearts of all. They spoke of her affectionately 
and lovingly as “ The Lady.” They carried their re- 
spect and reverence so far that a rancher, one day 
happening to use a profane expression in her presence, 
would then and there have received a severe beating 
from the other Mexicans, had not Webster Van Dee- 
ver appeared just in time to save him, and to accept 
the humble apology he made to both of them. 

Early the following year the Van Deevers began the 
construction of a boarding-school, and placed it under 
the management of the Sisters of Mercy, who came 
from Laredo. Margaret’s sphere of influence had ex- 


210 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


tended to the parish; and she assisted Padre Marino in 
the Sunday-school, visited and consoled the sick, and 
provided the material comforts of life for many poor 
Mexicans. 

If she was thus supreme in her home and powerful 
in her parish, it was not to be wondered at that she 
made an impression on her neighbors. Before the 
Van Deevers arrived in Bohia, none of the whites or 
Americans of wealth and social standing were mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. They identified the re- 
ligion with the faults of the Mexicans, and usually 
referred to their place of worship as “ the Greaser 
chapel.” 

In Margaret, however, the women were forced to 
recognize one who would be a social leader if she so 
desired, while few of the men were able to provide as 
luxurious a home as Webster, or could exert a greater 
influence in the financial world. Before a year had 
elapsed the mother of a family living in town con- 
fided the fact to Margaret that they ought to be Cath- 
olics, and begged her assistance in helping them to 
return to the Church. Soon after another family of 
prominence, who had become intimate with the Van 
Deevers, were led by them to see the truth, and to 
profess the faith. 

And those, who were blind to, or prejudiced against 
the effects which their religion produced in this happy 
pair, could not help respecting them for their sterling 
qualities. 


CHAPTER XXV 


RECONCILIATION 

T?IVE happy, peaceful years passed over the Texas 
ranch and its inhabitants, with as much of the 
world’s goods as they could possibly enjoy. It seems 
strange that it was Margaret who could yearn for 
more, and yet this was the fact. 

One day, returning with their children from a ride, 
she remarked to her husband. 

“Webster, why don’t you drill for oil? We are 
not more than two hundred miles from Beaumont — 
and we’re in what you call the oil belt.” 

“ I’m perfectly content as I am,” said her husband, 
“ with you and the children. At the lowest estimate 
we are sure of an income of an hundred thousand dol- 
lars. Won’t this keep the wolf from the door?” 

“ There is surely no danger of starvation,” said 
Margaret, laughing, “ but see all the good we could 
do in the cause of religion if our income were only ten 
times as large ! Wealth is a sacred trust, and should 
be devoted to the service of God.” 

“ And what would you do, dearest, with such a large 
income?” questioned her husband, indulgently. 

“ I haven’t thought of any plan, so long as the pos- 
sibility doesn’t exist,” she answered. “ I would, how- 
ever, very, very quietly, so that no one need ever find 
21 1 


212 


MARGARET'S INFLUENCE 


it out, relieve the most urgent wants of religion first. 
We could begin by erecting and maintaining chapels 
in the thinly-settled districts, and support the priests 
that would look after the faithful. We could help 
our poor missionaries struggling among the pagans in 
foreign lands. We could establish parochial schools 
in the poorer parishes of the State, and guarantee a 
decent living for those dear Sisters who sacrifice their 
lives for Christ’s little ones. We could endow an 
asylum for the orphans and a home for the aged. We 
could found an ideal home for consumptives and es- 
tablish a few hospitals. In one word, with such an in- 
come, we could become the actual Church Extension in 
this State of limitless possibilities.” 

“My Dear Margaret!” exclaimed Webster Van 
Deever. “ You certainly have ideas and perceptions ! 
Let me see — I’ll give you an indefinite option on the 
ranch to bore for oil and superintend the work free 
of charge, also furnish all the necessary capital. I can 
not guarantee the success of the undertaking. If God 
looks with favor on your plan He must direct you in 
locating the well.” 

“Do you really mean this, Webster?” asked Mar- 
garet, looking at him earnestly. 

“ I really do. Moreover, if we fail the loss will be 
mine, but if we discover oil in paying quantities you 
may dispose of the revenue in whatever way you see 
fit.” 

Margaret clapped her hands with delight. 

“ I accept your generous offer,” she said. “ And 
now let me suggest something to you — have you ever 


RECONCILIATION 


213 


noticed the marked resemblance between Greaser Hill, 
which we frequently pass on our rides over the ranch, 
and Spindle Top at Beaumont ?” 

“No,” said her husband, surprised, “ where in the 
world did you get that idea ? ” 

Margaret colored a little — a charming habit which 
she had not yet been able to overcome. 

“ Why,” she said, “ I suppose it’s only a strange 
fancy, but the fact is that since I’ve been forced to 
abandon several pet projects which I had in mind for 
want of funds, I’ve awakened repeatedly at night, im- 
agining I saw the heavens illumined by a pillar of fire 
that arose from Greaser Hill and filled the air with 
volumes of smoke.” 

“ That’s strange,” remarked her husband. “ I won- 
der if there could be anything in that? At any rate 
there’s no harm in trying to find out. As Greaser 
Hill is situated nearly in the center of the ranch I 
would prefer to drill there rather than in any other 
place. In case oil is discovered We shall be able to 
control the territory for miles around without fear of 
any interference. The consequences are almost too 
vast to estimate. Instead of fifty thousand dollars a 
year, you might have millions at your disposal for 
charitable purposes.” 

As a result of the discussion the Van Deevers went 
at once to Greaser Hill and examined it from all sides. 
When there was no longer any doubt in Webster’s 
mind that Margaret was right in seeing a marked re- 
semblance between the two places, he resolved to pro- 
ceed to Beaumont the following day, buy the necessary 


214 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


machinery, and secure the services of a competent man 
to take charge. 

As soon as the derrick could be erected and the 
machinery installed, the work was begun, ostensibly 
for the purpose of boring a well. For two whole 
months the drilling continued, both night and day, 
without result or mishap. At the various stages of 
descent it was noticed, with no little satisfaction, that 
the successive strata of clay, gravel, and stone here re- 
sembled those encountered at the corresponding depths 
at Spindle Top. Finally, at a depth of eighteen hun- 
dred feet, the drill struck the blue flint which is both 
the hope and the dread of experts. They hail its pres- 
ence as the stratum that immediately covers the oil, 
and they dread it as the cause of frequent accidents 
and the ruin of the hardest diamond drill. 

, At this stage the machinery was thoroughly over- 
hauled before being again set in motion. The fireman 
then redoubled his exertions to keep up a high pres- 
sure of steam. Puff, puff, began the engine. The 
drill rose with an audible sigh and then fell back with 
a hopeless thud, that shook the derrick hundreds of 
feet above. The feeling of suspense and expectation 
increased with every fall of the drill — nevertheless 
the work dragged on without results for three more 
days and nights. 

Early on the morning of December the third, Mar- 
garet rose to look after her little twin daughters, who 
slept together in a crib in another part of her own 
room. As she passed the window she paused a mo- 
ment, with a prayer on her lips, and cast an anxious 


RECONCILIATION 


215 


glance in the direction of Greaser Hill. Suddenly 
the very earth seemed to quake beneath her feet, and 
after two or three seconds a terrific explosion rent the 
air, followed by the eruption which Margaret had 
seemed to see so often in a vision. For a second she 
stood rubbing her eyes, thinking she was mistaken. 
Then she ran to her husband’s side and shook him 
violently. 

“ Webster ! Webster ! Wake up ! Here is the pil- 
lar of fire in all reality! ” 

The noise that followed the explosion, like the siz- 
zling, puffing, and belching of a thousand powerful 
locomotives, aroused and startled the inhabitants of 
the thinly-settled country along the San Antonio River. 
Within a short time cowboys on their ponies were 
hastening from all sides in the direction of Greaser 
Hill. Near the boundary of the ranch they met the 
panic-stricken Mexicans who had been engaged in bor- 
ing the well. Their swarthy cheeks were ashen pale 
and their long black hair seemed almost to stand on 
end as they pointed with trembling hands toward the 
new spouter that belched forth great volumes of oil 
and water — and even ejected large pieces of rock into 
the air, while a dense cloud of mist and spray settled 
on the horizon and obscured the rising sun. 

“ Hell has opened ! ” they shrieked as they ran on, 
some in the direction of the Van Deever home, others 
to take refuge in the church. 

Before the flow of oil could be controlled the news 
of the wonderful discovery had been sent broadcast 
all over the land. 


2l6 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“Oil found on the Van Deever ranch! Greaser 
Hill a second Spindle Top ! Young Texan multi-mil- 
lionaire ! ” began the dispatch from Bohia. “ Mr. Van 
Deever, who left the Chicago Exchange some years 
ago, and settled, with his wife, on a fifty -thousand-acre 
ranch south of here, has sunk a well that spouts a 
hundred thousand barrels of oil a day. As the well 
is located in the center of his extensive property, his 
prospects are almost limitless.” 

On the day following the appearance of the dispatch 
in the New York papers, Webster Van Deever re- 
ceived a telegram that startled him : 

“ Congratulations ! Have been looking for you for 
the past six years. Knew you would make your 
mark. Will welcome you with open arms when you 
come to New York. 

“ Homer Van Deever.” 

The young man did not tell Margaret of this tele- 
gram. Instead, he wrote a lengthy epistle to the older 
man, in which he informed him that oil had indeed 
been discovered on his ranch, but that another person 
held the option on all the land, and was the owner 
of the remarkable well described. After depicting the 
prospects in brightest colors, he told him that this per- 
son was the former Margaret Redmond, who was now 
his dearly -loved wife, and whom he had married a 
year after parting with his father. 

He concluded his letter with the information that 


RECONCILIATION 


217 


as he was a full-fledged Catholic, and hoped to live 
and die as such, he feared he might not receive a cor- 
dial welcome in the East, and therefore preferred for 
the present to bask in the sunshine of Texas. 

The return mail brought a pathetic letter from 
Webster's mother, the outpouring of a sorrowing and 
loving heart, mingled with expressions of the tender- 
est regard for her son and her new daughter. She 
expressed her delight that Webster had found peace 
in the Catholic Church, and said that she had been 
hesitating long over the same step, but that the joyous 
news his letter conveyed would certainly prompt her 
to take instruction in the immediate future. Her hus- 
band, she wrote, was broken in spirit, and had grown 
very old within the last few years. He was more than 
anxious to have the past forgotten, and welcome them 
both. She concluded her letter with an ardent appeal 
to her children to cheer the old home by their presence 
during the Christmas holidays. 

This letter touched Webster to the heart, while 
Margaret wept over it compassionately. Even Andy 
wiped a tear from his withered cheek when he heard 
the good news. 

“ Thank God ! ” he said, with a touch of his old 
fervor. “ Mr. Van Deever himself will die a Catholic 
yet.” 

There was no hesitation upon Margaret's part about 
getting ready for the journey. Her gentle soul 
yearned to have her husband and his people reconciled 
and happy, and the pleasure which she knew they 


2 18 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


would feel in seeing Webster’s children more than 
compensated for the trouble it would be to travel so 
far with them. 

“ I’m sure the well can be safely guarded during our 
absence,” said Webster, thoughtfully; “ and I will be 
glad to give the old folks the happiness they desire. 
I have reason to think that the Mexicans of the coun- 
try, especially those employed on the ranch, are en- 
tirely devoted to our interests. If Padre Marino 
would help us out by coming over here to live, and 
just keep an eye on the place, we could remain away 
indefinitely.” 

Meanwhile, the oil from the Van Deever well was 
examined by experts and pronounced to be of a su- 
perior quality. Agents and speculators began to 
swarm into the country, several of whom made tempt- 
ing offers — either of buying the property, developing 
it in shares, or incorporating and monopolizing the oil 
industry in that part of the State. To all these the 
Van Deevers gave an evasive answer, by declaring that 
they would take no definite steps in the matter until 
they had returned from New York. 


EPILOGUE 


TJEFORE the close of the year 1908 my missionary 
*** labors brought me into the Missouri lowlands. 
My last mission there was preached in the parish of 
an energetic little priest, whom the people of the lo- 
cality called “ Our Saint,” and who was usually spoken 
of as “ The Swamp Angel,” by his brother priests. In 
the incredibly short time of four years he had built 
up four flourishing missions at a great personal sacri- 
fice. I shared his apostolic labors with pleasure, and 
reaped, abundantly of what he had so laboriously 
sown in sorrow, and fertilized no less by the sweat of 
his brow than by his humble prayers. 

When the consoling work was finally done, I 
boarded an Iron Mountain train at a little town in the 
Ozarks to return home for a few weeks of needed rest. 
As the train sped onward toward St. Louis, I took out 
my breviary to finish my Office before the shades of 
the long December evening had deepened into night. 

Perhaps a half hour had thus elapsed when I was 
interrupted by a gentleman who had seated himself 
before me a short while previously. I glanced up at 
him several times, noting that his face seemed famil- 
iar, but not caring to speak because I could not place 
him. 


219 


220 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Don’t you think, if you try, you could recollect 
me, Father? ” he said at last, good-humoredly. 

I closed my book with an answering smile. 

“ I have been trying, sir, but while I am positive 
that we’ve met before, I can’t exactly recollect how or 
where. A poor missionary travels so constantly and 
meets so many that you’ll forgive him, I’m sure.” 

“ Well, then, perhaps you’ll recall the circumstances. 
A certain young man addressed a certain Catholic 
priest on a Northern Pacific train about seven years 
ago and made open confession of his agnosticism and 
his grievances. The chief of the latter being a cer- 
tain Catholic young lady, who had emphatically re- 
sented the young man’s familiarity. You may remem- 
ber, Father, that the young man asserted he would kiss 
that young lady even if he had to marry her? ” 

I laughed and held out my hand. 

“ Webster Van Deever ! ” I exclaimed, and he shook 
my hands with such delight that I almost knew the 
good news he had to tell before he uttered it. 

“Well, Father, I’ve kissed her!” he said, trium- 
phantly. 

“ I congratulate you with all my heart,” I answered. 
I could not help but notice the wonderful transforma- 
tion through which he seemed to have passed. 

“ I want you to meet my wife, Margaret Redmond 
Van Deever, Father,” he continued. “ As I went 
through to the dining-car a few minutes ago to get 
something for the babies, I recognized you, and told 
her I would bring you back to her.” 


EPILOGUE 


221 


“ Babies ? ” I exclaimed. 

“ Come and see,” laughed Van Deever. 

After picking our way through several coaches, my 
guide rapped on the door of a drawing-room. 

“ Come in ! ” said a pleasant voice, and we entered. 

“ Allow me to introduce my wife, Father,” said 
Webster Van Deever, with pardonable pride. “ The 
Margaret Redmond you used to know at St. Mary’s- 
on-the-Raisin.” 

“ What a pleasure to meet you again and so unex- 
pectedly, too ! ” said Margaret, holding out her hand. 

“ The pleasure is doubly mine,” I answered, “ for 
I’ve prayed for you two every day at holy Mass for 
years.” And then I saw the beautiful faces of the 
little ones. “ Why, you have a kindergarten ! ” I ex- 
claimed. 

Margaret and her husband laughed joyously. 

“ Come, Philip,” she said, coaxing one of them to 
come to me. “ This is Philip Webster — he’s the old- 
est,” she said. “ Isn’t he a big man? And those are 
the twins — Margaret and Genevieve — who are 
sleeping in the nurses’ arms. Webster insisted on 
naming them after their mother and my old friend 
Genevieve Harty. Do you remember Genevieve, 
Father? ” 

“ She was always as happy as a sunbeam — I would 
not like to forget her,” I answered. 

“ And this is Joseph Homer,” she added, fondling 
a baby of five or six months, who was lying on her 
lap. “ He is named after his father and grandfather.” 


222 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


“ Now you must be our guest for the rest of the 
way, and take supper with us,” pleaded Webster Van 
Deever. 

“ If I may be favored with the development of your 
little romance from the time we parted in St. Paul to 
the present hour,” I replied, “ I will gladly accept your 
invitation.” 

“ Agreed ! ” they both exclaimed, well-pleased with 
my proposition, and so the narrative began. My in- 
terest rose as it progressed. 

“ It is really a fascinating story,” I remarked, when 
it was concluded. “ I feel confident it would prove 
both entertaining and instructive to our young people 
if it were published! Would you have any objection 
to seeing it in print ? ” I asked. 

Margaret looked at her husband rather shyly. 

“ Not if you conceal our identity,” she said. 

“ Identity or no identity ! ” he exclaimed. “ Are we 
ashamed of our happiness, or of the sacrifices we have 
made for each other? As far as I am concerned I 
would gladly tell the whole world and every man in it 
that I have the sweetest wife on earth, and the best 
and brightest babies, too. Why, we’ve already planned 
their future, Father,” he went on, proudly. “ We are 
going to make a missionary of Philip, though he says 
he’ll be either a bishop or a mule-driver. Margaret 
and Genevieve are to be Sisters just like Mother Lio- 
nella. When they are professed we will build each a 
convent so that they may train good mothers for the 
world. My little Joseph Homer will have to settle 
down near us, and keep up the Van Deever name.” 


EPILOGUE 


223 


I joined in the merry laughter of the happy pair 
who were thus disposing of their children’s future, 
and was about to add that I hoped God’s plan would 
correspond with theirs, when we were disturbed by a 
rap on the door. The next moment a pleasant-look- 
ing, elderly man, with snow-white locks, opened the 
door and announced supper. 

Webster Van Deever pointed to me. 

“ Come in, Andy, and shake hands with the priest 
to whom I made my first confession on my return 
from the coast some years ago.” 

Andy came in promptly, scrutinizing me the while. 

“ I’ve been praying for your Reverence all these 
years,” he said, as he knelt and asked my blessing. 

“ And why ? ” I asked, smiling. 

“ Why, I was afraid you foretold bad luck to my 
master when you said you couldn’t congratulate him 
on his prospects,” said Andy. “ But I see now there 
is some mistake.” 

Van Deever laughed. 

“ Your master has been thoroughly converted since 
then,” I said. “ So I can safely congratulate him and 
you on your future prospects and your present happi- 
ness. And now, I suppose,” I continued, “that you 
consider Mr. Van Deever the one exception in ten 
thousand ? ” 

“ Maybe so,” replied Andy, cautiously, “ but he 
wasn’t born that way. He was honest, and had a 
good will in spite of his heathen education. I may be 
right or I may be wrong,” he added, “ but it’s my hon- 
est opinion, Father, that if all Catholic young men 


224 


MARGARET’S INFLUENCE 


and young women were as true children of God as Mrs. 
Van Deever has proven herself to be, and followed 
her example in affairs of the heart, mixed marriages 
would be unknown, the world would become a garden 
of Eden, and all mankind would reap abundantly of 
the blessings of heaven.” 



kFR 30 











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Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process 
Neutralizing Agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: 



1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 
(412)779-2111 


One copy del. to Cat. Div. 

30 i 



